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News

Sounds of Australia: nominations open for National Film and Sound Archive’s annual celebration of…

Jul 07, 2026 137

THE National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) is inviting Australians to nominate recordings that have shaped Australia's cultural, historical and social life.

They might be chart-topping songs, memorable radio broadcasts, podcasts, speeches, oral histories, sports commentaries, television themes, advertisements or experimental recordings that challenge the way we listen.

Sounds of Australia is…

PJCIS to scrutinise changes to the Foreign Arrangements Scheme

Jul 07, 2026 118

THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has commenced an inquiry into Australia’s Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Amendment Bill 2026.

The bill overhauls the Foreign Arrangements Scheme – the regime requiring states, territories, local governments and public universities to notify, or seek approval, from the Minister for Foreign Affairs before…

Treaties Committee examines Indigenous perspectives on WIPO (GRATK) Treaty

Jul 06, 2026 139

The WIPO Treaty on IP and Genetic Resources (GRATK) aims to introduce a requirement to disclose sources for patent applications based on…

Closure of CSIRO fire testing facility risks Australia's housing innovation pipeline

Jul 06, 2026 162

THE Housing Industry Association (HIA) has expressed deep concern over the planned closure of the CSIRO's North Ryde Fire Technology Laboratory, warning that the loss of one of Australia's most important building-product testing facilities will have significant implications for housing innovation, product development, and the delivery of new homes.

The facility is used extensively for…

Parliamentary Standards committee launches inquiry into Parliament House behaviour codes

Jul 03, 2026 146

THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Parliamentary Standards is launching its first inquiry into the Behaviour Codes and Standards in Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces.

The inquiry will inquire into and report on the operation and effectiveness of the:

  1. Behaviour Standards for Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces;
  2. Behaviour Code for Australian Parliamentarians; and
  3. Behaviour Code for…

New inquiry into cyber security for small-to-medium-sized businesses and organisations

Jul 03, 2026 148

THE Select Committee on Cyber Security for Small to Medium Sized Businesses and Organisations has commenced work on its inquiry. 

The committee was established by the House of Representatives to inquire and report on the cyber security preparedness of small-to-medium-sized business (SMB).

Committee Chair, Sally Sitou MP, said, “Small businesses are on the frontline of cyber risk but too often…

Committee to review international production order scheme for sharing electronic information

Jul 02, 2026 142

THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has commenced a review of provisions in the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 (TIA Act) relating to international production orders for electronic information.

Schedule 1 to the TIA Act, which was added to the Act in July 2021, established a scheme to enhance law enforcement cooperation between Australia…

Submissions open for inquiry into Australia-Vanuatu Nakamal Agreement

Jul 02, 2026 141

THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) has commenced an inquiry into the Vanuatu-Australia Nakamal Agreement.

The Nakamal Agreement proposes to develop Australia and Vanuatu’s security relationship by creating new obligations and commitments for both parties.

These proposed obligations include Vanuatu committing to prevent its territory being used for foreign military bases and…