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…

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…

THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) has commenced inquiries into five treaty actions covering customs cooperation, space cooperation and international air services.

The committee will examine the Agreement between Australia and Canada on Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters, which seeks to establish arrangements for cooperation and mutual assistance…

THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence has commenced two inquiries into the Department of Defence Annual Report 2024–25 and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Annual Report 2024–25.

One of the committee’s core functions is to review the administration and expenditure of Australian defence agencies, including their annual reports.

Committee Chair, Senator Deborah O’Neill, said, "Robust…

THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has commenced a review of the listing of White Australia as a prohibited hate group under the Criminal Code.

The committee said White Australia is an Australian-based nationalist and racist extremist group. It adopted that name in 2025 and has previously been known as the National Socialist Network and European Australia…

AUSTRALIA's payments system is fundamental to the operation of the national economy -- and Australians have never had more ways to pay.

As a nation of early adopters, Australians have been quick to embrace new payment technologies. However, global technology companies play an increasingly prominent yet opaque role in how Australians access and use payment services.

Moving from cash to card has…

THE winners of the 2026 Yarning Competition will visit Canberra next week for a presentation event and the launch of the Yarning Exhibition at Parliament House. ​

The Yarning Competition is about storytelling. It aims to raise awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and to provide a platform for secondary school students to connect with, and learn about, the work of the…

THE Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works has recently commenced three new inquiries into proposed works by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) and the Department of Defence (Defence) under the Public Works Committee Act 1969.

ANSTO is proposing a replacement of its backup power network with a…

THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) has tabled a report recommending ratification of the Agreement on Social Security between Australia and the Oriental Republic of Uruguay.

The agreement enables eligible individuals who have moved between Australia and Uruguay to qualify for social security benefits. It also allows Australians and Uruguayans to continue receiving certain social…