Skip to main content

Business News Releases

JCPAA new inquiries: client privacy in the APS, admin of the age pension, and Defence procurement of infantry fighting vehicles

THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) has commenced three new inquiries. These inquiries will consider the management of client privacy by public sector entities, the administration of the age pension, and Defence procurement.

Chair of the Committee, Josh Burns MP, said, "These inquiries address important areas identified by the committee for further examination, including issues raised in recent Australian National Audit Office audits."

Inquiry into the management of client privacy in the Australian public sector

The committee will examine the frameworks used to identify and manage privacy risks, and meet the requirements of the Privacy Act 1988, in public sector entities that manage information on private individuals.

The committee will also examine the ability of public sector entities holding personal information to respond effectively to data breaches, cyber threats, and 'malicious actors'.

Inquiry into the administration of the Age Pension

The committee will examine the Department of Social Services’ and Services Australia’s administration of the Age Pension with reference to the effectiveness of oversight arrangements, processes for assessing applicant and recipient eligibility, and arrangements to communicate and manage engagement with applicants and recipients.

Inquiry into Defence’s procurement of Infantry Fighting Vehicles (Land 400 Phase 3)

The committee will examine any matters contained in and associated with Auditor-General Report No. 26 2025-26 Defence’s Procurement of Infantry Fighting Vehicles (Land 400 Phase 3) with particular reference to whether Defence conducted an effective tender process, and whether Defence established effective contracting arrangements to support the achievement of value for money outcomes.

Submissions to these inquiries addressing their terms of reference are invited by Friday, May 8, 2026.

Details of these inquiries – including terms of reference, submissions received and public hearing schedules – can be accessed on the committee’s website.

 

ends

  • Created on .

Public hearings on strengthening Australia’s Asia capability

THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Education will hold two public hearings as a part of its inquiry into building Asia capability in Australia through the education system and beyond.

On Monday, April 13,  the committee will hear from community language organisations, language educators, and foreign policy experts to better understand how language and cultural learning builds long-term Asia capability in Australia.

On Tuesday, the public hearing will focus on perspectives from the business community, and examine the skills and capabilities needed to engage effectively with Asian economies. The committee will hear from business leaders and graduates who will discuss the linkages between the education system and successful careers and engagement in the region. 

Committee Chair, Tim Watts MP, said the hearings "will provide valuable insight into how Australia can take a more coordinated and sustained approach to building Asia capability and why this is strategically important".

"These hearings will help the committee understand how education, language skills and community ties can better support Australia’s economic, social and strategic interests," Mr Watts said.

Public hearings

Date: Monday, 13 April 2026
Time: 10.30am – 4.15pm
Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra

Date: Tuesday, 14 April 2026
Time: 11.00am – 2.15pm
Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra

A program for the public hearing is available on the inquiry website. A live broadcast of the hearing will also be available on the APH website.

 

ends

  • Created on .

National Redress Scheme Committee to hear from support services and participating institutions

THE Joint Standing Committee on Implementation of the National Redress Scheme will hold a public hearing in Canberra today (April 8) for its inquiry into the continuing operation of the scheme.

Committee Chair, Jodie Belyea MP, said the committee was grateful for the contributions made in support of the inquiry to date.

"The committee has received a substantial number of submissions in support of our current inquiry and heard evidence from a range of stakeholders," Ms Belyea said.

"On Wednesday, the committee will hear from Redress Support Services, lived experience advisers, and participating institutions. This evidence will help the committee understand issues from a range of perspectives as the scheme enters its final operational stage."

The committee will continue to hear evidence from a wide range of stakeholders and individuals as it examines issues related to the effective, safe and equitable management of the scheme.

More information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference and submissions, can be found on the inquiry webpage.

Public hearing details

Date: Wednesday, 8 April 2026
Time: 9:15am – 4pm (AEST)
Location: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra and via videoconference

A program for the public hearing is available on the inquiry webpage.

Public hearings are broadcast live on the Australian Parliament House Streaming Portal.

 

ends

  • Created on .

Proposed Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission reforms to be reviewed

THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has commenced a review of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) reform package, consisting of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission Bill 2026 and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (National Policing Information Charges) Bill 2026.

The bills, which were introduced into the Parliament on March 25, would establish the ACIC under a new Act, aiming to clarify its role and enhance its ability to obtain, analyse, evaluate and communicate intelligence relevant to serious and organised crime.

The bills are intended to give effect to the Australian Government’s response to the 2024 Independent Review of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and associated Commonwealth law enforcement arrangements (the Independent Review of ACIC). The Independent Review of ACIC found that the ACIC’s current legislative framework is no longer fit for purpose and inhibits it from fulfilling its criminal intelligence mandate.

Chair of the PJCIS, Senator Raff Ciccone, said, “The Independent Review of the ACIC found that the ACIC needed to be more clearly defined as Australia’s national criminal intelligence agency, focused on producing unique and incisive intelligence on serious and organised crime.

“This inquiry will aim to ensure the reform package achieves this objective, avoids unintended consequences and provides the ACIC with a secure footing to adapt and respond to the rapidly evolving landscape of serious and organised crime."

The committee has invited written submissions to be provided by Friday, June 5, 2026.

Further details on the review are available on the committee’s website: aph.gov.au/pjcis

 

ends

  • Created on .

Proposed new powers to combat money laundering and terrorist financing to be reviewed

THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has commenced a review of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment Bill 2026.

The Bill, which was introduced into the Parliament on March12,  2026, would enable the chief executive officer of the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) to restrict or prohibit reporting entities from using high-risk mechanisms to provide designated services; amend the meaning of financing of terrorism to reference new offences for financing a state sponsor of terrorism; and make technical amendments..

Chair of the PJCIS, Senator Raff Ciccone, said, “Transnational serious and organised crime networks continue to evolve, finding new ways to exploit communities and economic systems for illegal gain and to conceal the proceeds of crime.

"As governments strengthen protections across parts of the legitimate economy, criminals are increasingly turning to emerging technologies and changes in financial sector infrastructure to bypass safeguards.

"This inquiry seeks to ensure the Bill is well‑suited to today’s rapidly changing financial crime landscape.

"This is an important review given the ongoing risks posed by money laundering and serious crime to both Australia’s financial system and the broader community, and the importance of maintaining an anti‑money laundering and counter‑terrorism financing (AML/CTF) framework that can respond effectively to emerging threats, now and into the future.”

The committee is inviting written submissions to be provided by Friday, May 8, 2026.

Further details on the review are available on the committee’s website: aph.gov.au/pjcis

 

ends

  • Created on .

More Articles …