THE Defence Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will conduct its first public hearing into the Department of Defence Annual Report 2023–24 today.

The Subcommittee will hear evidence from the Department of Defence, government departments, non-government organisations and the Australian public across the inquiry’s focus items:

• Sovereign Defence Industrial Priorities;
• Defence Estate, Security and Resilience;
• AUKUS;
• Uncrewed/Autonomous Systems, AI and their integration into the Joint Force;
• Progress on the transformation to an integrated focused force;
• Australian international defence cooperation and competition;
• Other issues as communicated to Defence.

Chair of the Subcommittee, Brendan O’Connor MP, said, "Parliamentary committees are an important mechanism parliament uses to keep a check on government activities and government departments, and to hear from experts and public interest groups.

"This year’s Inquiry is focusing on priorities such as Sovereign Defence Industrial Priorities, Defence Estate, security and resilience, the AUKUS trilateral security partnership, uncrewed/autonomous systems, AI and its integration into the Joint Force, progress on the transformation to an integrated focused force, and Australian international defence cooperation and competition in a rapidly changing strategic environment.'

Further information is available on the Inquiry webpage with the hearing broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

Public Hearing Details

Tuesday, 18 February 2024, 9am – 2:00pm (AEDT)
Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties has tabled a report recommending the ratification of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between Australia and the United Arab Emirates and the Agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Australia on the Promotion and Protection of Investments.

The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) diversifies Australia’s trade network by eliminating tariffs on over 99 percent of Australian goods exports to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The investment agreement is an accompanying treaty that provides certainty to Australian and UAE investors.

Committee Chair, Lisa Chesters MP, said, "This CEPA is Australia’s first free trade agreement with the Middle East and is set to increase Australian exports by around $678 million per year. In addition to tariff removal, the two treaties provide scope for expanding Australia-UAE investment in sectors such as renewable energy, agribusiness, tourism, health and aged care, and resources.

"CEPA is a modern agreement that includes standalone chapters to promote sustainable agriculture and food systems, and trade and investment economic cooperation with First Nations people – two firsts for Australian free trade agreements.

"Some unions and NGOs have expressed concern about the UAE’s labour laws. However, it is evident the promotion of labour protections was a priority in trade negotiations with the UAE," Ms Chesters said.

"The UAE agreed, for the first time, to a dedicated chapter covering trade and labour that establishes a Dialogue on Labour to advance labour rights, including through stakeholder engagement, and promotes compliance with the International Labour Organisation. This is in addition to chapters that encourage environmental sustainability, women’s economic empowerment, and improved animal welfare standards."

The committee has supported the ratification of both treaties and recommended that binding treaty action be taken.

The report also contains the committee’s consideration of three minor treaty actions:

• 2023 Amendments to Annexes A and B of the Minamata Convention on Mercury;
• 2024 Amendment to Annex I of the International Convention against Doping in Sport;
• Amendment to Appendix III of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

The report can be found on the Committee website, along with further information on the inquiries. 

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A FEDERAL Parliamentary committee inquiry has undertaken extensive consultation with stakeholders including local governments, councils and shires. The inquiry received more than 280 submissions and held 16 public hearings in regional areas.

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport has today presented its interim report for the inquiry into local government sustainability.

The vast majority of local governments that made submissions to this inquiry and participated in public hearings spoke about how their role has evolved significantly from administering roads, rates and rubbish to navigating complex regulatory environments, managing limited financial resources, and addressing diverse and sometimes competing community needs and expectations.

The interim report makes no formal policy recommendations to government but highlights these emerging themes.

Chair of the Committee, Luke Gosling OAM, MP, said, "Local governments around Australia are increasingly being called upon to provide healthcare services and housing, manage ageing infrastructure and assets, and respond to current and future climate adaptation needs. These additional responsibilities are placing a significant financial strain on local governments who are struggling to meet community expectations.

"The committee is thoroughly reviewing the substantial evidence it has received to date and carefully considering the numerous and varied recommendations put forward in the submissions aimed at improving the sustainability of local governments.

"The committee is looking forward to announcing its final recommendations in due course," Mr Gosling said.

Further information about the inquiry, including published submissions, public hearing transcripts and an interim report are available on the inquiry webpage.

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THE Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories has tabled its report, Australia’s Antarctic Territory: Report on the Inquiry into the Importance of Antarctica to Australia’s National Interests.

Committee Chair, Alicia Payne MP, said, "This inquiry has highlighted the pivotal role that Antarctica plays in advancing Australia’s scientific, environmental, strategic, and economic priorities. This role is made ever more pressing by the current rate of man-made climate change and the crucial function Antarctica has in regulating our climate systems.

"Science and conservation are the currencies of influence in Antarctica," Ms Payne said. "It is incredibly important that Australia continues to invest in world leading research and support Antarctic science.

The committee has made 13 recommendations relating to Australia’s relationship with the Antarctic Treaty System, supporting conservation and scientific research, and the beneficial position of Hobart as Australia’s Antarctic Gateway.

The report considers the significance of ongoing funding stability for Antarctic research institutions and the need to end the use of terminating measures. The committee has also recommended that the Commonwealth Government prioritise Australia’s icebreaker, the RSV Nuyina, for scientific research, and lease or acquire a second vessel to undertake the core resupply of Australia’s Antarctic stations on an ongoing basis.

The full report of the inquiry can be found on the committee’s inquiry webpage.

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics will hold its first biannual public hearing of 2025 with the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), Michele Bullock, and other senior RBA officials on Friday, February 21.

This will be the RBA’s first parliamentary appearance following its much-anticipated February 18 monetary policy decision.

Committee Chair Daniel Mulino MP said the RBA’s Tuesday cash rate call would be closely followed, with many Australian mortgage holders eager for relief.

"We know many Australians with mortgages have been making sacrifices, holding on and hoping for interest rates to ease," Dr Mulino said.

"Whether or not the RBA cuts the cash rate target next Tuesday, the latest inflation data is extremely encouraging. It suggests the end of the road is in sight, and that efforts by both the RBA and the Government to tame inflation without massive job losses are getting the job done."

The latest monthly data shows that the RBA’s preferred measure of underlying or core inflation – annual trimmed mean inflation – dropped to 2.7 percent in December 2024, down from 3.2 percent in November.

Dr Mulino noted that this is the first time trimmed mean inflation has fallen within the RBA’s target band since December 2021.

"The monthly data can be volatile," Dr Mulino said, "but this is still a major milestone – and the quarterly data also shows a sustained downward trend."

He noted that quarterly trimmed mean inflation was at 4 percent in the June 2024 quarter, then dropped to 3.6 percent in the September quarter and 3.2 percent in the December quarter.

Dr Mulino also noted that inflation had been brought down from its December 2022 peak of more than 8 percent (in headline terms) while keeping the unemployment rate "in the very low fours – a historic achievement".

Dr Mulino said the committee looked forward to discussing the RBA Board’s latest monetary policy decision, and the possible trajectory of monetary policy in 2025 under complex and uncertain global conditions.

Dr Mulino said the committee was also interested in the RBA’s Review of Merchant Card Payment Costs and Surcharging, and its progress implementing the Government’s once-in-a-generation reforms to RBA governance arrangements, including the creation of a dedicated Monetary Policy Board.

Public hearing details

Date: Friday, 21 February 2025
Time: 9.30am – 12.30pm
Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live and www.youtube.com/@AUSParliamentLive.

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THE Speaker of the House of Representatives, Milton Dick MP, has today launched a National Youth Parliament, to be held in 2026.

The National Youth Parliament will see 150 high school students selected to represent each electorate across Australia to participate in a three-day program in Canberra, including at Australia’s Parliament House.

Youth Members will have the unique opportunity to learn about aspects of being a Member of Parliament, including the process by which bills are drafted, considered, and pass Parliament to become law.

The National Youth Parliament will complement the Speaker’s existing civics education program, Parliament in Schools, which has already been delivered to over 145 schools across Australia, including regional and remote schools.

The National Youth Parliament will begin taking applications in the second half of this year.

"I am so proud that for the first time, the House of Representatives – the people’s House – will be hosting this great program here in Canberra," Mr Dick said.

"The National Youth Parliament will give our young people a national platform to contribute to democracy and politics through a hands-on experience.

'Young people have a vital role to play in public discussion, and a youth parliament is a meaningful and sustained youth engagement model that we have seen across Australia and the Commonwealth.

"I am so passionate about setting up the foundations to ensure our next generation have the skills, tools and knowledge to lead this country through the challenges of our future.

"I look forward to welcoming students from all over Australia to develop their appreciation of civics, parliamentary debate and of course, strengthening our great democracy."

www.aph.gov.au

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics will hold a public hearing for its ongoing reviews of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s annual reports 2021–2023.

Chair of the Committee, Daniel Mulino MP, said, "The ACCC has a crucial role in promoting competition and fair trading, protecting consumer rights, and ensuring competitive and well-regulated markets. The committee’s regular scrutiny of ACCC annual reports is an important mechanism for holding them accountable for their work, as well as hearing from the regulator on important and emerging issues."

Dr Mulino noted that the Economics Committee released its report into economic dynamism, competition and business formation in March 2024, and that the ACCC was significantly involved throughout that inquiry. Several committee recommendations for the ACCC on merger laws and regulation of financial services have since progressed. Dr Mulino said the committee would be interested in hearing from the ACCC on how these reforms will assist the ACCC in their work.

For example, the ACCC will acquire new powers under merger laws passed in November 2024. Once these new laws come into effect in 2026, all mergers above a certain size will need to be notified to the ACCC, and the ACCC will have increased powers to address ‘serial acquisitions’. Dr Mulino noted that these changes were recommended by the committee in its Better Competition, Better Prices report.

"With an increase in power comes an increase in responsibility," Dr Mulino said. "The committee is interested in hearing from the ACCC how these powers will help them address issues in merger law and continue in their mandate of serving the Australian market and people."

With the high cost of living a concern for so many Australian households, Dr Mulino said the ACCC’s inquiry into supermarket pricing would also be of interest. The ACCC’s last inquiry into competition in the supermarket sector was conducted in 2008, making this a long-awaited undertaking.

Dr Mulino also noted the ACCC’s wide remit, which includes monitoring gas and petrol supply and prices, electricity affordability, cartel conduct and digital platform services.

He said the committee would "continue to scrutinise the ACCC to ensure they remain vigilant in monitoring all industries for behaviour that is harmful to consumers’ interests".

More information about the reviews and upcoming public hearings are available on the committee’s website.

Public hearing details

Date: Friday, 14 February 2025
Time: 9.30am to 12pm
Location: Videoconference

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live and www.youtube.com/@AUSParliamentLive.

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THE Australian Workers’ Union has strongly endorsed the passing of the Future Made in Australia (Production Tax Credits and Other Measures) Bill 2024, describing it as a historic step that positions Australia to become a global leader in new energy and advanced manufacturing.

The bill establishes production tax credits that will catalyse private investment at the speed and scale required to develop green hydrogen and critical minerals industries in Australia. 

AWU national secretary Paul Farrow said the legislation would help unlock the nation’s immense potential in critical minerals processing and green hydrogen production — industries that will be critical to Australia’s economic and strategic future.

“Australia’s approach to critical minerals and new energy has been constrained by a ‘dig and ship’ mentality, and this bill tips that on its head," Mr Farrow said. 

"This bill finally provides what industry has been crying out for: investment certainty to move beyond raw exports and build up our domestic processing and manufacturing capabilities. It will create thousands of high-quality jobs, particularly in regional Australia, and ensure future generations of Australian workers benefit from the global industrial shift.

“If this bill is successful in paving the way to reliable, large-scale green hydrogen supply that would be a game-changer for the nation because it would unlock green steel and green aluminium which would be transformative for the Australian economy.

“The ‘community benefit rules’ embedded in this legislation are critical, because they ensure the jobs created will be high-quality positions with good pay and secure conditions. Unlike the approach taken in the past, this bill ensures Australian workers and their communities will share fairly in the gains of Australia’s industrial transition.”

The AWU has been a long-time advocate for securing Australia’s sovereign industrial capability, warning that the concentration of global supply chains— particularly in China — poses a strategic risk for the nation.

"Australia has the whip hand here and this Bill allows us to crack it,“ Mr Farrow said.

"It will help Australia build resilience and safeguard against the risk of being cut out of critical supply chains. Australia has some of the world’s richest reserves of critical minerals, yet we’ve allowed overseas interests to dominate refining and processing. This legislation will reverse that trend and keep more value—and more jobs—onshore.”

Mr Farrow criticised the Coalition’s decision to vote against the legislation, calling it a betrayal of Australia’s industrial future.

“The Coalition's decision to vote against this bill speaks volumes. It's entirely in line with their broader hostility to Australian workers and their industries,” he said.

“At a time when the world is racing ahead in clean energy and critical minerals investment, the Coalition would rather Australia sit on the sidelines. They would apparently rather see Australian jobs go offshore than support the policies needed to develop world-leading industries here.”

Mr Farrow said the AWU would continue working to ensure the implementation of the bill delivers for Australian workers.

“The passing of this bill is a major step forward, but we need to make sure it’s implemented in a way that maximises Australian jobs and industrial development. The AWU will be holding government and industry to account on that."

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