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April 03, 2025

Sharing stories, celebrating culture – Yarning competition just launched

Author: Mike Sullivan

YESTERDAY the Department of the House of Representatives launched Yarning, a new competition for First Nations secondary school students across Australia.

The Yarning competition is about storytelling. It aims to raise awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures…

April 01, 2025

AFCA enhances support for employees affected by domestic violence

Author: Mike Sullivan

THE Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has announced significant enhancements to its family and domestic violence support policy, reaffirming its commitment to the safety and well-being of employees affected by domestic violence.

These policy improvements provide…

Economics Committee reports on ASIC

Mar 27, 2025 179

THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics has released the final report for its reviews of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) annual reports of 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Committee Chair, Daniel Mulino MP, said the report covered key issues examined by the committee during the 47th Parliament.

Dr Mulino noted that ASIC had been subject to extensive…

Treaties Committee tables report on Australia-Portugal Tax Treaty

Mar 27, 2025 144

THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties has tabled the report on its inquiry into the Convention between Australia and the Portuguese Republic for the Elimination of Double Taxation with respect to Taxes on Income and the Prevention of Tax Evasion and Avoidance (Australia-Portugal Tax Treaty).

The treaty is a taxation agreement with Portugal aimed primarily at eliminating double taxation for…

‘No flash in the pan’: Productivity problem a long-term challenge

Mar 27, 2025 135

AUSTRALIA'S PRODUCTIVITY continued to stagnate in the December quarter, suggesting that the country's productivity problem may be part of a long-term trend. 

The Productivity Commission's latest quarterly productivity bulletin shows labour productivity declined by 0.1% in the December quarter and by 1.2% over the year.

"The data makes it clear that our productivity problem is not a flash in the…

JCPAA publishes report of inquiry into administration of Commonwealth regulations

Mar 26, 2025 170

THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has today published the report of its inquiry into the administration of Commonwealth regulations.

The inquiry was informed by audits into regulatory responsibilities of five entities: Department of Health and Aged Care; Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission; Department of Home Affairs; Department of Industry, Science and Resources; and the…

Public sector contract management is mixed and requires closer attention

Mar 19, 2025 350

THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has released its report on the contract management frameworks operated by Commonwealth entities, which examined whether they are fit for purpose to ensure project delivery and value for money.

The Australian National Audit Office audits examined by the committee revealed areas of good practice in this regard, underpinned by effective governance.…

National Youth Parliament 2026 – House of Reps seeks a supplier

Mar 18, 2025 202

THE Department of the House of Representatives is seeking a suitably qualified and experienced service provider to develop and deliver a National Youth Parliament to be held in Canberra in 2026.

Participants in the National Youth Parliament 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…

Committee reports on the operation of Australia's Magnitsky-style thematic sanctions

Mar 10, 2025 225

THE Human Rights Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT) has published its report into the operation of amendments made by the Autonomous Sanctions Amendment (Magnitsky-style and Other Thematic Sanctions) Act 2021.

Chair of the Subcommittee, Maria Vamvakinou MP said, "Sanctions can and do play a vital role in tackling human rights abuses,…

Alcohol and Other Drug Issues paper published

Mar 10, 2025 268

THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport has published an issues paper concerning the health impacts of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) in Australia.

After launching an inquiry into this topic on August 22 last year, the committee received more than 200 written submissions and heard from witnesses across seven days of public hearings in Melbourne, Brisbane,…

Inquiry into the challenges and opportunities within the Australian live music industry

Mar 10, 2025 238

THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts has today released a report, Am I Ever Gonna See You Live Again?, following its inquiry into the challenges and opportunities within the Australian live music industry.

Over the course of the inquiry, the committee held 18 public hearings in Canberra, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, and received many…