THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport will hold hearings with over 30 witnesses across the state of Queensland this week as part of its inquiry into local government funding.

The committee wants to better understand the funding challenges faced by local government across Queensland, particularly those councils that are providing services and infrastructure to regional and rural Australians.

Committee Chair, Fiona Phillips MP, said, “The committee is looking forward to learning more about the fiscal sustainability of local government across the state of Queensland, the challenges that councils are facing, and the opportunities for enhancing services and infrastructure.”

Hearings will begin in Townsville on Wednesday June 10 where the committee will hear from the North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils and the North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils. A range of individual regional councils will also appear, including the Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council and the Torres Strait Island Regional Council, alongside Regional Development Australia (RDA) Tropical North.

The committee will then travel to Roma for hearings on Thursday June 11 to hear from the South West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils and the Western Queensland Alliance of Councils. The Queensland Farmers’ Federation and the Royal Flying Doctors Service (Queensland Section) will also appear to provide an alternative perspective on local government in the area.

The committee then travels to Brisbane on Friday June 12 to hear from a range of council, associations and organisations. This includes the Local Government Association of Queensland, the Queensland Local Government Grants Commission and the Services Union.

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

Further information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and how to contribute, is available on the committee’s website.

Public hearing details

Date: Wednesday, 10 June 2026
Time: 9am – 3.30pm
Location: Grand Chancellor Hotel, Castle Hill Room, 334 Flinders Street, Townsville

Date: Thursday, 11 June 2026
Time: 9am – 2.50pm
Location: U3A – Senior Citizens Building, 53 Bungil St, Roma, Queensland

Date: Friday, 12 June 2026
Time: 9am – 3.15pm
Location: Queensland Parliament, Committee Room 1, Cnr George and Alice Streets, Brisbane

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

Details for upcoming public hearings and more information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference, submissions and transcripts of previous hearings, is available on the inquiry webpage.

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Education is calling for submissions to its inquiry into the factors driving educational attainment.

The inquiry will examine a wide range of issues that influence educational outcomes, including gender differences, cultural and linguistic diversity, and socio-economic status. It aims to identify practical, evidence-based strategies to improve educational outcomes for all learners throughout the course of the education journey.

Committee Chair, Tim Watts MP said, "Educational attainment has a profound impact on individuals, communities, and the broader economy. We want to hear directly from parents and students, school communities, educators, and experts about what is working well and where improvements are needed.

"Submissions are a vital part of the inquiry process. They help us understand the issues and ensure that recommendations are informed by evidence and real-world experience," Mr Watts said.

The committee said it would welcome submissions by Friday, June 12, 2026. Submissions should ideally be no longer than 10 pages and may address some or all of the inquiry terms of reference.

More information on the inquiry, including the full terms of reference and details on making a submission, can be found on the inquiry website.

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THE Speaker of the House of Representatives, Milton Dick MP, today launched the Department of the House of Representatives’ My First Speech competition.

The competition's positioning statement tells it straight: 'Imagine yourself as a newly elected member of the House of Representatives. You have Parliament’s attention. What will you say?'

This national competition invites students in Years 10, 11 and 12 to envision themselves as newly elected members of the House of Representatives and write a three-minute speech that focusses on a topic they’re passionate about.

One winning entrant from each year group will win an expenses-paid trip to Canberra to present their speech at Parliament House to the Speaker and guests, as well as a prize pack valued at $250.

“One of my key priorities as Speaker has been to promote parliamentary education to students across the country, and this is yet another exciting way that young people can take an active role in our democratic system," Mr Dick said.

“This competition will provide high school students with the chance learn more about the way our nation’s democracy works, and how actively engaging with the parliamentary process can draw attention to the issues that are most important to them.”

Entries to the My First Speech competition are open now and close at 11.59pm AEST on Monday July 20, 2026. For information and entry submission, visit the website: www.aph.gov.au/mfs

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The inquiry was referred to the committee on November 27 last year by the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Amanda Rishworth MP.

At its public hearing the committee will explore how minimum worker entitlements are operating in practice across different sectors and workforce groups. The committee will hear from industrial relations specialists, legal experts and sector representatives.

Committee Chair, Carina Garland MP, said the hearing would help the committee test the detail of proposals and evidence put forward during the inquiry to date.

"The committee is seeking to identify practical solutions, to ensure workers’ minimum entitlements remain clear, reflective of the evolving nature of work, and aligned with the intent of the Fair Work Act," Dr Garland said. "We encourage organisations with relevant expertise or a strong interest in these issues to contact the Committee about appearing at a future hearing on 30 July."

The committee will hear evidence from:

• Chifley Research Centre
• Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Indigenous Allied Health Australia
• Holding Redlich
• The Australian HR Institute
• Australian Council of Trade Unions
• Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association
• Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union
• Australian Services Union
• Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation

Further information is available on the committee’s website.

Public hearing details

Date: Wednesday 10 June 2026
Time: 9:30am to 3.40 pm
Location: Legislative Council Committee Room, Parliament of Victoria, Melbourne

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live. Members of the public interested in attending the hearing in person should advise the secretariat by June 7, to facilitate building access.

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