THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) will be holding a hearing on Friday, May 15, for its inquiry into the administration of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Committee Chair Josh Burns MP said, "The effective administration of the NDIS is central to compliance with the NDIS claim requirements and to its financial sustainability. It is of great interest to the committee whether the scheme is working as it should.

"This inquiry provides a valuable mechanism for this Committee to further scrutinise issues with the administration of the NDIS.’

Date:               Friday, 15 May 2026

Time:              10am – 1.45pm National Disability Insurance Scheme

Venue:            Committee Room 1R4, Parliament House

Witnesses:    

• Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
• Professionals Australia
• National Disability Services
• Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Service
• Intrepidus Law
• Alliance20

The hearings will be broadcast live and will be accessible from the Parliament House website at https://www.aph.gov.au/live.

Details on the inquiry into the administration of the National Disability Insurance Scheme — including terms of references and submissions — are available on the committee’s website.

ends

THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Workplace Relations, Skills and Training will hold a public hearing in Canberra on Friday, May 15, as part of its inquiry into the operation and adequacy of the National Employment Standards (NES).

The inquiry was referred to the Committee on November 27, 2025, by the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Amanda Rishworth MP.

At its public hearing the committee will hear from a broad range of stakeholders about their experiences with the NES, building on evidence already heard from the government, unions and the business sector.

The hearing will enable the committee to gather further perspectives on key issues, including reproductive health leave, cultural, kinship and carer’s leave, compassionate leave for bereaved parents, the costs and administrative impacts of the NES on small businesses, and employment conditions for young workers.

Committee Chair, Dr Carina Garland MP, said the hearing would allow the committee to develop a more comprehensive understanding of how the NES operates in practice.

"As the nature of work continues to evolve, it is important that the National Employment Standards (NES) remain clear, fair and fit for purpose," Dr Garland said..

"The committee is seeking to understand how the NES supports key worker groups — including First Nations employees, carers and women — while balancing these protections with the operational and financial realities faced by employers." 

The committee will hear evidence from:

• Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman
• Council of Small Business Organisations Australia
• The Compassionate Friends Australia
• Maurice Blackburn Lawyers
• Families Australia
• National Tertiary Education
• Australian Education Union
• Community and Public Sector Union
• Health Services Union
• Finance Sector Union
• Australian Youth Affairs Coalition.

Further information is available on the committee’s website.

Public hearing details

Date: Friday 15 May 2026
Time: 9am to 2.15pm
Location: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra ACT/Videoconference

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

ends

THE Foreign Affairs and Aid Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will hold a public hearing as part of its Inquiry into the role of Australia’s international development program in preventing conflict.

The subcommittee will continue its examination of how Australia’s development cooperation contributes to conflict prevention and stability, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings across the Indo-Pacific region.

Subcommittee Chair, Tim Watts MP, said the subcommittee hoped to gain valuable perspectives from two organisations working at the intersection of humanitarian response, delivery of development assistance, and conflict prevention – the World Food Programme and the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue.

"Witnesses from these organisations can offer important insights into how food security, mediation, and dialogue can help address the drivers of conflict and build more stable and resilient communities across our region," Mr Watts said.

The subcommittee expects to hold further public hearings in June.

Further information, including the full terms of reference, is available on the inquiry webpage.

Public Hearing Details

Thursday 14 May 2026
Time: 8am - 9am (AEST)
Venue: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra

The hearings will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

ends

ABORIGINAL and Torres Strait Islander people have been invited to share their experiences of engaging with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) as part of a national review underway.

Tax Ombudsman, Ruth Owen, the independent watchdog of the ATO and tax system, has released her terms of reference outlining the scope and significance of this review – the first of its kind.

The Tax Ombudsman met with Aboriginal community organisations and peak bodies to inform the review terms of reference and heard first-hand the challenges First Nations people are encountering when trying to engage with the tax system.

“We heard that a lack of targeted and appropriately designed education and engagement has meant the tax system can often feel alien, confusing and at times frightening for First Nations people,” Ms Owen said.

Ms Owen said it was vital that all taxpayers understood how the tax system operates, what is required of them and how they can benefit from it.

“I am keen to hear directly from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander taxpayers around the country to help inform my review. People can contribute by attending a community yarning session in the coming months, completing an online survey or making a submission.”

As one of the largest Commonwealth government departments, Ms Owen also said the ATO was expected to adapt its operations to meet the needs of all Australians, including First Nations people. This is set out in the Closing the Gap National Agreement Priority Reform 3 – transforming government organisations.

“We want to know what’s working and what’s not, and more importantly, we want to explore the practical improvements we can recommend to the ATO to better support First Nations taxpayers, businesses and the people who represent them,”
Ms Owen said.

To support the consultation process, the Tax Ombudsman has engaged Jindawayni, a 100% Aboriginal-owned business managed by Kokatha woman Amy Rust.

“The reality is the tax system wasn’t designed with our people’s cultures or lived realities in mind. On top of that, there are very real practical barriers, particularly in remote communities,” Ms Rust said.

“There are benefits in tools like MyGov, but that assumes individual access. If you’re sharing a phone with family, the system just doesn’t fit how people actually live.”

Community yarning sessions will be held across metropolitan, regional and remote locations over the next three months.

“We’ve made a real effort to get out to places that don’t always get visited. From Ceduna on Wirangu Country to Geraldton on Yamatji Country to Lismore on Bundjalung Country, I reckon we’ve got a pretty good spread. And if there’s not one in your town, or you don’t have time, we’d still love to hear from people through the online survey,” Ms Rust said.

“All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander taxpayers and businesses are welcome to have their say.”

Aboriginal businessman and founder and director of We Create Print Deliver, Pat Caruso, whose organisation includes a business incubator supporting start-ups, said he hoped the review also considered how the tax system supports emerging Aboriginal businesses.

“In many ways, we’re looking at the first generation of Aboriginal businesses," Mr Caruso said.

"The potential is enormous, but for many, this is new territory as they find their footing. I’d welcome stronger conversations around how we can create genuine economic opportunities within our communities,” Mr Caruso said.

To access the Review terms of reference, a full list of yarning sessions and the survey, visit: Review: ATO engagement with First Nations taxpayers - Tax Ombudsman

ends