THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport has extended the submission deadline by four weeks to May 31 this year for its inquiry into local government sustainability.

Chair of the committee, Luke Gosling MP said, "The committee recognises the importance of this inquiry to inform a deeper understanding of local government financial sustainability and service delivery obligations. The scope of the inquiry’s terms of reference covers a range of complexities across financial frameworks, skills development, labour hire practices, infrastructure, and asset management."

Mr Gosling said due to the high level of interest received to date, "the committee has agreed to extend the inquiry submission deadline by four weeks to Friday, 31 May 2024. The committee appreciates that many government and other organisations are keen to contribute to this important inquiry and is seeking to understand the challenges faced by local governments in servicing infrastructure requirements for their communities."

The committee is welcoming submissions from interested organisations and individuals by May 31. Further information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and how to contribute, is available on the committee’s website.

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THE House Standing Committee on Economics will hold public hearings in Melbourne and regional Victoria from April 17–19 as part of its inquiry into insurers’ responses to 2022 major floods claims.

The committee will hold public hearings at:

• Maidstone Community Centre, Maribyrnong – Wednesday 17 April
• Rochester Shire Hall, Rochester – Thursday 18 April
• Heathcote RSL Hall – Friday 19 April

Committee Chair Daniel Mulino MP said the inquiry had heard from regulators, insurance companies and consumer advocacy and legal rights groups. “Now we want to hear firsthand from the locals in some of the worst-hit regions.”

When the Maribyrnong River flooded on the night of October 13, 2022, it devastated more than 600 homes and businesses across the suburbs of Maribyrnong, Avondale Heights, Kensington and Ascot Vale, and caused tens of millions of dollars in damage. It was the river’s third-worst flood on record – with Maribyrnong bearing the brunt of the damage.

Dr Mulino said the hearing on April 17 will hear from affected councils, community organisations and businesses, which have been invited to give evidence at roundtable discussions. Organisations that wish to contribute can email their interest to the Committee secretariat.

Expressions of interest are also being sought from residents to give a three to four-minute public statement about their experience with their insurers. Dr Mulino urged people “with a story to share, and who are willing to go on the public record, to register – as soon as possible – their interest in appearing”.

The committee would like to hear about any of the following issues:

• the experiences of policyholders before, during and after making claims
• timeframes for resolving claims
• obstacles to resolving claims
• insurers’ communication with policyholders
• accessibility, affordability and quality of hydrology reports and other expert assessments
• affordability of insurance premiums
• claimants’ experiences of insurers’ dispute resolution processes.

People who wish to make a public statement should email a one or two sentence summary of their experience to the committee secretariat at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. They should write 'public hearing' and the hearing location (Maribyrnong, Rochester or Heathcote) in the subject line and include the full name(s) for each person who wants to participate, as well as a contact number and email address.

Dr Mulino said the hearings may not be able to accommodate everybody on the day.

“We know that in some of these places almost everyone has a story to tell," he said. "But for anyone who misses out or who wishes to provide information to the committee, there is still time to make a public or confidential submission, and/or complete our online survey.”

More than 400 people have completed the survey about their experience with their insurer.

Submissions can be uploaded through this online link or emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. until July 31.

Programs for the hearings will be posted on the inquiry website closer to the time. A live audio stream of the hearings will be available on the APH website.

Online survey: The survey is open until July 31 and is available here.

For further information contact the committee secretariat on 02 6277 4707 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Public hearings, April 2024:  

Programs will be posted on the inquiry website closer to the time. A live audio stream of the hearings will be available on the APH website.

Maribyrnong, Melbourne, Vic

Date: 17 April 2024
Time: 9am (tbc)
Location: Maidstone Community Centre

Rochester, Vic

Date: 18 April 2024
Time: 9am (tbc)
Location: Rochester Shire Hall

Heathcote, Vic

Date: 19 April 2024
Time: 9am (tbc)
Location: Heathcote RSL Hall

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AT THE REQUEST of the Attorney-General, the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has commenced a review of the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Declared Areas) Bill 2024.

The amendments in the Bill would ensure the continuation of the declared areas offence in section 119.2 of the Criminal Code Act 1995. The offence, which is due to sunset on September 7, 2024, is an element of the Australian Government’s efforts to stop Australians becoming foreign fighters.

The Bill would extend the offence for another three years, to September 7, 2027, and would also provide that section 119.3—the provision under which the Minister for Foreign Affairs can declare an area for the purpose of the offence in section 119.2—also ceases to have effect on September 7, 2027.

Chair of the PJCIS, Peter Khalil MP said, "The committee welcomes the referral of the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Declared Areas) Bill 2024. We look forward to receiving submissions from interested parties on the ongoing utility of the declared areas offences, which have been an important part of the Australian Government’s counter-terrorism efforts.

“Since the introduction of these offences, periodic review by this committee has ensured they are subject to ongoing parliamentary scrutiny and that the requirements of national security are constantly balanced against the rights of the individual," Mr Khalil said.

Submissions to the inquiry are invited by April 29, 2024.

Further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the Committee’s website.

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THE House Standing Committee on Economics has published the programs for its upcoming public hearings in Caboolture (Moreton Bay), Beenleigh (Logan) and Lismore (northern NSW) on April 9–11 for its inquiry into insurers’ responses to 2022 major floods claims.

The hearing programs are available on the inquiry website.

Committee Chair Daniel Mulino MP said it was not too late for locals affected by the 2022 floods to register to share their insurance experiences in community statement sessions at each of the hearings.

“I encourage anyone interested to contact us as soon as possible about making a statement, but we can also sign people up on the day – subject to available time," Dr Mulino said. Priority to speak would be given to locals who had registered in advance, he said.

Individuals who want to make a statement at the hearings should email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

They should write ‘Public hearing’ and the hearing location (whether Caboolture, Logan or Lismore) in the subject line and include full name(s) for each person who wants to participate, as well as a contact number and email address.

Anyone is welcome to attend the hearings, and a live audio stream will also be available on the APH website.

Submissions

Submissions to the inquiry can still be uploaded through this online link or by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. until July 31.

Online survey

A survey about people’s experiences with insurers following the 2022 floods is open until July 31 and is available here: Insurers’ responses to 2022 major flood claims.

For further information contact the Committee secretariat on 02 6277 4707 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Upcoming public hearings, April 2024:

Moreton Bay, Qld – local councils, businesses, community organisations and community members

Date: 9 April 2024
Time: 9.45am
Location: Caboolture Hub – Seminar Rooms 1 & 2
Level 1, 4 Hasking Street, Caboolture

Logan, Qld – local councils, businesses, community organisations and community members

Date: 10 April 2024
Time: 12 noon
Location: Beenleigh Events Centre, Function Room 2
Kent St, Beenleigh

Lismore, NSW – local councils, businesses, community organisations and community members

Date: 11 April 2024
Time: 9am
Location: Invercauld House, Conference Rooms 3 & 4
163 Invercauld Rd, Goonellabah

For more information about this committee, visit its website.

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THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (the committee) has commenced a review of the Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus No. 1) Bill 2024.

The Bill amends and clarifies the intended operation of provisions in various crime-related statutes, including by:

• expressly authorising police, when executing search warrants issued under the Crimes Act 1914 or Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, to seize digital assets, such as cryptocurrency, including by accessing a person’s digital wallet and transferring its contents;
• amending the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to extend the investigative and freezing powers that currently apply to financial institutions to also apply in relation to digital currency exchanges;
• increasing the value of the Commonwealth ‘penalty unit’ from $313 to $330;
• creating a position of Communications Security Coordinator in the Department of Home Affairs, with responsibility for certain telecommunications security functions currently assigned to the Communications Access Coordinator in the Attorney‑General’s Department;
• amending information-sharing provisions in the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 to enhance the ability of state-based oversight bodies for integrity agencies to receive interception information and interception warrant information from agencies within their jurisdictions.

The committee isd inviting written submissions to the inquiry by May 9, 2024.

Further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the Committee’s website.

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Implementation of the National Redress Scheme will hold a public hearing on Monday for its inquiry into the National Redress Scheme.

The committee will hear evidence from knowmore, who provide free legal advice and support to redress applicants, as well as the Department of Social Services, which is responsible for administering the scheme.

The public hearing will commence at 10am (Canberra time).

Committee Chair Senator Catryna Bilyk said, "The committee has heard evidence from applicants and their advocates about how some redress outcomes have been assessed. We intend to provide an opportunity for the Department of Social Services to respond to this evidence.

"This will assist the committee with making recommendations to government on how the scheme could be improved."

The committee is continuing to accept submissions. There is no fixed closing date.

Full details of what the inquiry is examining can be found in the terms of reference on the committee’s website. An easy English guide on how to make a submission is also available.

Public hearing details

Monday 8 April 2024
10am to approximately 1pm (Canberra time)
Committee Room 1R4, Parliament House, Canberra
Listen online at www.aph.gov.au/News_and_Events/Watch_Parliament

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THE rapid uptake of automated decision making and machine learning in the workplace is the focus of a new inquiry launched today by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training. 

The committee wants to hear directly from workers, employers, software developers and providers, academics, employer groups and trade unions about the digital transformation of workplaces that is currently taking place across Australia.

Chair of the committee, Lisa Chesters MP said, "Following the committee’s recent work on generative artificial intelligence in the Australian education system, the committee is now turning its attention to examining the intersection between advanced digital technology and the labour market.

"Australian workplaces are changing the way they operate," Ms Chesters said. "The committee wants to understand what these changes mean for employees and employers, our workplaces and the way we regulate and govern our employment practices."

Of particular interest to the committee are the benefits and risks of automated decision making and machine learning in the context of work, the role of business software and regulatory technology companies, and how to ensure the safe and responsible use of these technologies.

The committee is welcoming submissions from interested individuals and organisations by Friday, June 21, 2024. More information on the inquiry, including the full terms of reference and details on making a submission, can be found on the inquiry website.

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THE House Standing Committee on Economics released its report Better Competition, Better Prices: Report on the inquiry into promoting economic dynamism, competition and business formation on March 26, 2024.

After presentation and publication, a transposition error was identified in Recommendation 33 (at paragraph 6.106) resulting in repeated text in the first dot point of the recommendation. The recommendation, as adopted by the Committee, is meant to read:

Recommendation 33

6.106     That the Treasury Competition Policy Taskforce examine mechanisms to increase consumer engagement with mortgages and deposit products. Initially, this could take the form of pilots of one or more of the following:

• A requirement that banks reach out to variable rate consumers with older home loans (3 or more years) once per year to review their product, prompting them to consider both price and non-price factors.
• A requirement that banks should notify the base interest rate at the end of the introductory period where a retail deposit product is offered.
• A requirement that banks should clearly notify retail deposit holders of changes to their interest rates, changes to the eligibility requirements for a bonus interest rate and, where practicable, alert customers when they are approaching a threshold for eligibility for a bonus interest rate (e.g. a minimum balance level).

That APRA provide an independent benchmark (or series of benchmarks) for variable rates for new/switching customers over the preceding 12 months. That this benchmark be published for use by mortgage brokers and financial advisers to improve their capacity to contact new clients to improve churn rates.

The online version of the report will be updated once a corrigendum can be presented in the House in a future sitting week.

Further information on the inquiry as well as a copy of the report can be obtained from the inquiry website.

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