While all attention is focused on the FSRB legislation and its impending introduction into Parliament, a raft of superannuation-related bills are still moving at various speeds through the parliamentary process. Law firm Freehills advises that at the end of 2000 the following Bills were outstanding:

• Choice of Superannuation Funds (Consumer Protection) Bill 1999
• Commonwealth Superannuation Board Bill 1998
• Family Law Legislation Amendment Bill (Superannuation) 2000
• Superannuation (Entitlement of Same Sex Couples) Bill 2000
• Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Amendment Bill 2000
• Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Choice of Superannuation Funds) Bill 1998
• Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Post-Retirement Commutations‚ Bill 2000
• Superannuation Legislation (Commonwealth Employment) Repeal and Amendment 1998 (and two associated Bills)
• Taxation Laws Amendment (Superannuation Contributions) Bill 2000
• Treasury Legislation Amendment (Application of Criminal Code) Bill 2000
• Workplace Relations and Other Legislation Amendment (Superannuation) Bill 1998.

In the first few parliamentary sitting days this year, the Senate amended the Taxation Laws Amendment (Superannuation Contributions) Bill 2000 to ensure it has retrospective effect to May 1999 rather than June 30, 2000. Freehills said this Bill seeks to limit the use of “abusive” employee benefits schemes including non-complying superannuation schemes. The House of Representatives will consider the amendments when sittings resume next Monday.