THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) has tabled a report recommending the ratification of the Papua New Guinea-Australia Mutual Defence Treaty (the Pukpuk Treaty).

The Pukpuk Treaty strengthens Australia’s defence partnership with close neighbour Papua New Guinea by elevating the status of the defence relationship to a formal Alliance. Once ratified, the Pupuk Treaty will form…

TODAY, Tony Zappia MP, Chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works presented the Public Works Committee’s second report of 2026 to the House of Representatives.

Report 2/2026 – Referral made in September 2025 considers the proposed redevelopment of Blamey Barracks, Kapooka, New South Wales for a total estimated cost of $889.2 million (excluding GST).

Following an inquiry…

THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water will hold its first public hearing on Wednesday, April 1, as part of its inquiry into solar panel reuse and recycling. The inquiry was referred on January 19 by the Minister for the Environment and Water, Senator Murray Watt.

The public hearing will provide an opportunity for the committee to…

THE Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works has recently commenced two new inquiries into proposed works by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) under the Public Works Committee Act 1969.

The AFP is proposing to fit out new premises for its Northern Command Headquarters located in Brisbane, Queensland.

The…

THE Social Policy and Legal Affairs Committee will hold its first hearing of its inquiry into the link between domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) and suicide on Friday, March 27.

Committee Chair, Louise Miller-Frost MP, said the hearing provides "an important opportunity to understand how Commonwealth agencies are currently capturing data, coordinating services, and responding to DFSV…

THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) has tabled a report recommending the ratification of the Agreement to Establish the Pacific Resilience Facility and the Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions.

The report also contains the minor treaty action 2025 Amendments to Annex I of the International Convention against Doping in Sport.

The Agreement to…

THE Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade through its Human Rights Subcommittee will hold its first public hearing for its inquiry into gender equality as a national security and economic security imperative on Friday, March 27.

Chair of the Human Rights Subcommittee, Tony Zappia MP, said, "Australia is a global champion of gender equality. The subcommittee will hear…

THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Primary Industries will hold its first public hearing on Thursday, March 26, as part of its inquiry into factors shaping social licence and economic development outcomes for critical minerals projects across Australia.

The committee will hear from the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR), whose submission highlights the role of…