THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Disability will hold its final public hearings on Thursday May 28 and Friday May 29 for its inquiry into the health impacts of alcohol and other drugs.

The witnesses appearing will include peak bodies for the alcohol industry, academic researchers, and national service providers for drug and alcohol harm intervention, including charities and Aboriginal health organisations. The committee will also hear from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and the Australian Federal Police.

Committee Chair, Mike Freelander MP, said, "Alcohol and other drug-related harm negatively affect tens of thousands of Australians each year. This inquiry is nearing completion, and the Committee is looking forward to receiving further insights at these final hearings to help guide the deliberations for our report.

"The committee will seek to make meaningful policy recommendations to the government in our report to enhance existing protections, interventions, and recovery support for individuals, families, and communities suffering from the impacts of drug and alcohol abuse," Dr Freelander said.

Date: Thursday, 28 May and Friday, 29 May 2026

Time: Thursday – 9.45am–11.15am AEST

Friday – 8am – 1pm AEST

Location: Committee room 1R4, Parliament House, Canberra and online (see below)

Hearing programs can be downloaded at: Public Hearings – alcohol and other drugs inquiry

A live audio broadcast of these hearings can be accessed at www.aph.gov.au/live.

Further information about the Committee’s inquiry is available at the Committee’s website.

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation and Science will hold public hearings in Canberra on Wednesday, May 27 and Wednesday, June 3 as part of its inquiry into the current state of the Australian tyre industry, and any challenges and opportunities for the industry within the context of a circular economy.

Committee Chair, Rob Mitchell MP, said, "Local governments not only play a central role in waste management, but also as users of tyre-derived products such as crumb rubber in roads and playground surfaces.

"Throughout the inquiry, the committee has heard about the disproportionate financial, environmental and health impacts for local governments and communities caused by improper storage, stockpiling and illegal dumping of end-of-life tyres.

"The committee will hold roundtables with local governments from across New South Wales on Wednesday, May 27. The following week, on Wednesday, June 3, the committee will hold additional roundtables with local governments from across Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.

"At these public hearings, we hope to learn from councils about the challenges they experience with waste tyre management, and opportunities to improve tyre circularity at the community-level."

Programs for each public hearing are available on the inquiry webpage.

Public hearing details

Date: Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Time: 8:45am – 10am (AEST)
Location: Committee Room 1R5, Parliament House, Canberra

Date: Wednesday, 3 June 2026
Time: 8:45am – 10am (AEST)
Location: Committee Room 1R5, Parliament House, Canberra

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

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

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

Report 3/2026 – Referrals made in November 2025 considers the following four proposed works:

• Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority—Great Barrier Reef Aquarium Redevelopment project for a total estimated cost of $161.1 million (excluding GST);
• Department of Defence—9 Molonglo Drive, Brindabella Park, Australian Capital Territory for a total estimated cost of 103.9 million (excluding GST);
• Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade —Australian High Commission Staff Residential Compound Refurbishment, Konedobu, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea for a total estimated cost of $37.3 million (excluding GST);
• Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sports and the Arts — Fit-out of New Leased Premises at One City Hill, Canberra City for a total estimated cost of $46.4 million (excluding GST).

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority proposes to deliver a major redevelopment of the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium (formerly Reef HQ Aquarium). The Aquarium has not been significantly upgraded since its opening in 1987 and has experienced structural degradation and corrosion, leaving some structures non-compliant with current building standards. The proposal includes major works on the ground, first and second floors, and works on the external façade and frontage and will be centred a new world-class Coral Reef Exhibit.

The Department of Defence has proposed office fit-out works in Brindabella Park to allow it to consolidate four existing leases in the same precinct into one. With the consolidation, Defence will reduce its total leased office space in the precinct while updating the fit-out to comply with modern building standards and Defence security requirements.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s proposed works at the High Commission complex in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, will see 39 staff residences undergo the first major upgrade since being established 30 years ago. The proposed works will address safety risks to staff and their families and rising costs associated with ongoing routine maintenance and extend the life of the facility by at least 20 years.

The proposed works by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sports and the Arts are Stage 2 of the Department’s precinct model consolidation. Stage 1 of the project was examined by the committee last year and was approved by the House of Representatives in October 2025. The current proposed works will allow the Department to relocate from its current lease in the Nishi Building into new accommodation at One City Hill. The precinct model will enable the Department to reduce its Net Lettable Area in Canberra by 40%.

For the inquiries into these proposed works, the committee received submissions, held private briefings with relevant government officials and conducted public and private hearings. The committee also had the opportunity to travel to Townsville to visit the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium and see first-hand the conditions of the site and the Australian Institute of Marine Sciences to see some of the Aquarium’s marine life temporarily stored there.

The committee has recommended that the House of Representatives approves the proposed works.

Mr Zappia said, "In examining these works, the committee gave consideration to the purpose, need, value for money, and present and prospective public value of each of them, as is our obligation under the Public Works Committee Act 1969. The committee found that the proposed works have merit and should proceed."

Note: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works is not involved in the tendering process, awarding of contracts or details of the proposed works. Enquiries on these matters should be directed to the relevant Commonwealth entities.

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THE new Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence (PJCD) has started its work in examining Defence policy, capability development, and administration and expenditure, with an emphasis on long‑term effectiveness and strategic outcomes.

At its first meeting on May 12, the committee elected Senator Deborah O’Neill as Chair and Senator Dave Sharma as Deputy Chair.

Senator Deborah O’Neill said she was honoured to take on the role of Chair.

“Australia is contending with the most complex and demanding strategic environment that it has faced in decades,” Sen O'Neill said. “Every Australian has a stake in the success of our resilience, preparedness and capabilities.

“Parliament has chosen to give this committee stronger powers and a more robust structure to provide necessary bipartisan scrutiny of the agencies involved in our national defence. We will work to ensure Australians are informed about the work and impact of our investments in defence, and the skilled jobs and business growth opportunities that strengthening our sovereign capability and supply chain network provides.

"In addition, the committee's new capabilities to obtain private and secure briefings from relevant agencies will ensure proper parliamentary oversight of defence while not compromising national security.”

Deputy Chair, Sen. Sharma, said, “There is no more important role for the Parliament than protecting the security, interests and way of life of the Australian people, and defending Australia’s sovereignty and national freedoms. With the continued deterioration in Australia’s strategic environment, characterised by growing risk and uncertainty, this task is more vital than ever.

“I look forward to working closely with Chair Senator Deborah O’Neill to ensure the committee makes an enduring contribution to Australia’s national security and strengthens our national preparedness.”

The PJCD will oversee not only the Department of Defence but a number of other Australian defence agencies including the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Australian Submarine Agency.

The PJCD has welcomed the cooperation of Defence and its portfolio agencies as it embarks on its new oversight responsibilities and emphasised the Committee’s intention was to work constructively, rigorously and in the public interest.

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