THE Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will hold public hearings in Melbourne and Sydney as part of its inquiry into strengthening Australia’s trade and investment relations with Africa.

Subcommittee Chair, Fiona Phillips MP said, "These hearings will allow the subcommittee to engage directly with organisations and individuals based in Victoria and New South Wales and hear unique and important insights into how Australia can strengthen its trade and investment relations with Africa.

"The subcommittee will hear from a variety of organisations and individuals, including across business, media, logistics and community groups, each of whom will have the opportunity to share their perspectives on the changing demographic and economic opportunities across Africa’s diverse markets."

In Melbourne, the subcommittee will hear from:

• Mr Gebreselasie Gebru;
• Australia Africa Chamber of Commerce;
• Australia Zimbabwe Business Council;
• African Professionals of Australia Limited;
• Australian Industry Group;
• Africa Media Australia;
• Emerging Brand Africa;
• Sanctuary Global Enterprises;
• Ms Bronwen Halfpenny MP, Member for Thomastown.

In Sydney, the subcommittee will hear from:

• Vitti Capital: African Professionals of Australia; African Advocacy Centre; Western Sydney University;
• Kenya Community NSW;
• Food Markies / Multicultural Food Hub;
• Export Council of Australia.

"The evidence gathered at these hearings will identify opportunities and barriers to Australia’s trade and investment with African nations and inform recommendations to the Australian Government,’ Mrs Phillips said.

Public Hearing Details

Melbourne

Date: Wednesday, 29 April 2026 
Time: 9am – 3pm (AEST)
Location: Parliament of Victoria, 55 St Andrews Place, Melbourne – Hearing Room 3 Davui

Sydney

Date: Thursday, 30 April 2026
Time: 9am – 11:35am (AEST)
Location: Commonwealth Parliamentary Offices, Level 21, 1 Bligh Street, Sydney – Meeting Room 1

Programs for each public hearing are available on the inquiry website.

Public hearings are broadcast live on the Australian Parliament House Streaming Portal.

ends

THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport will begin its interstate hearings in Melbourne and Sydney next week as part of its inquiry into local government funding.

The committee wants to better understand the funding challenges faced by local government and its workers who provide infrastructure and deliver services to residents of two of Australia’s largest cities in Melbourne and Sydney, and to fast growing regional areas nearby in both Victoria and NSW.

Committee Chair, Fiona Phillips said, “The committee is looking forward to learning more about the fiscal sustainability of local government in both Victoria and NSW, potential solutions to current challenges, and the impacts of rising demands on the sector’s workforce.”

Hearings will begin in Melbourne on Tuesday (April 28) where the committee will hear from local government representative bodies, unions, metropolitan councils and regional councils. The committee will explore a range of issues including grant distribution processes, workforce issues, and labour market conditions across Victoria.

The committee will then travel to Sydney for hearings on Thursday (April 30) and Friday (May 1) to hear from academic experts, state government officials, councils from metropolitan, regional and outer‑urban areas, unions, and other stakeholders. Discussions will cover financial sustainability, insurance and risk, workforce challenges, and broader pressures facing local government across New South Wales.

Programs for each public hearing are available on the inquiry webpage.

Further information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and how to contribute, is available on the Committee’s website.

Public hearing details

Date: Tuesday, 28 April 2026
Time: 9am – 5.25pm
Location: Melbourne

Date: Thursday, 30 April 2026
Time: 12.45pm – 5pm
Location: Sydney

Date: Friday, 1 May 2026
Time: 9am – 3.45pm
Location: Sydney

Public hearings are broadcast live on the Australian Parliament House Streaming Portal.

Details for upcoming public hearings and more information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference, submissions and transcripts of previous hearings, is available on the inquiry webpage.

ends

THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) will be holding hearings today (April 23), for its inquiries into the administration of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and the 2023–24 and 2024–25 Defence Major Projects Reports.

Committee Chair Josh Burns MP said, "The JCPAA has an important function to scrutinise the administration of major areas of government expenditure.

"Recent reports from the Australian National Audit Office suggest there are many areas for improvement in the administration of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and in Defence procurement, and the committee will examine some of these areas this week.

"The hearing into Defence procurement will focus on the 2023–24 and 2024–25 Defence Major Projects Reports, continuing the Committee’s commitment to scrutinising Defence expenditures.’

Date:               Thursday, 23 April 2026

Time:              10am – 1.30pm National Disability Insurance Scheme

                        2.30pm – 4.30pm Defence Major Projects Reports

Venue:            Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House

Witnesses:     Hearing into the administration of the National Disability Insurance Scheme

• National Disability Insurance Agency
• Board of the National Disability Insurance Agency
• National Disability Insurance Scheme Quality and Safeguards Commission
• Australian National Audit Office

Hearing into the 2023–24 and 2024-25 Defence Major Projects Reports

• Department of Defence
• Australian National Audit Office

The hearings will be broadcast live and will be accessible from the Parliament House website at https://www.aph.gov.au/live.

Details on the inquiry into the administration of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and inquiry into the 2023–24 and 2024-25 Major Projects Reports—including terms of references and submissions—are available on the committee’s website.

ends

BELL BAY JOINT UNIONS have called today’s State and Federal Government commitment, providing up to $3 million to secure wages for Liberty Bell Bay's workforce, a reprieve for workers that were on the precipice of losing their income on Friday.

The package, announced this morning by Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff and Federal Industry Minister Tim Ayres, temporarily guarantees wages for around 220 workers at the smelter while administrators attempt to fast-track its sale.

AWU assistant national secretary Chris Donovan spoke on behalf of Bell Bay Joint Unions -- the AWU, Mining and Energy Union (MEU), Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) and Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU) -- and said the move provided immediate relief to workers and their families, but cautioned any realistic sale timeline would require further wage support.

“This funding is welcome and it matters -- it keeps food on the table and a roof over the heads of hundreds of working families,” Mr Donovan said.

“But let’s be clear: this is a short-term lifeline, not a long-term solution. This site needs its workforce in place to be sold, and that process is likely to require months, not weeks.”

MEU general president Grahame Kelly said today’s announcement was welcome but both governments needed to go further. 

“Bell Bay workers have received some good news this morning, but unfortunately it’s not good enough,” said Mr Kelly.

“We need to see more money flowing to ensure certainty for local families as the sale of the smelter is finalised.

“Local workers should not have to pay the tab for the collapsing GFG empire whose financial mismanagement led to these problems. 

“The government is not responsible for this economic vandalism, but they do have a duty to avert potential economic disaster."

Liberty Bell Bay, Australia’s only manganese smelter, entered voluntary administration on March 23 after a protracted dispute between creditors and former owner GFG, with EY appointed to oversee administration.

Despite strong market interest and expectations of an accelerated sale, industry experts and unions have consistently warned that securing a buyer for such a unique, strategic asset cannot be rushed.

Mr Donovan said the smelter’s importance to Tasmania and the national economy demanded a more sustained intervention.

“This is a nationally significant asset -- the only one of its kind in Australia - and it supports hundreds of direct jobs and hundreds more in the community,” he said.

“You can’t flick the switch on a sale like this and hope for the best. If it’s even possible to rush a sale, that risks undermining the very jobs we’re trying to save.”

The AWU reiterated its call for both levels of government to extend wage guarantees to ensure the smelter’s workforce remains in place during administration.

“What workers need now is certainty -- not just for the next pay cycle, but for the months ahead,” Mr Donovan said.

“We are calling on governments to build on this first step and commit to the ongoing support needed to see this through. Anything less puts jobs, families and an entire regional economy at risk.”

Bell Bay Joint Unions said they would continue working with administrators, governments and potential buyers to secure a sustainable future for Liberty Bell Bay and its workforce.

ends