THE South Australian CFMEU and Master Builders SA are jointly calling on the South Australian Government to immediately work with the industry to avoid a prolonged shutdown of construction which would damage the economy and hurt businesses and workers as the state grapples with the coronavirus outbreak.

CFMEU SA Construction Secretary Andrew Sutherland and MBA CEO Ian Markos said they understood the need to get on top of the coronavirus outbreak, however the construction industry around the country has clearly demonstrated it can safely operate during the pandemic. 

"We both agree that the Marshall government must protect the livelihoods of the more than 75,000 South Australians directly employed in the industry," Mr Sutherland said.

"The industry understands the importance of getting the virus under control and since the pandemic began workers, unions and builders have worked collaboratively to put in place the hygiene and safety measures that ensure the industry can remain open and covid-safe. 

"We are calling on the Marshall Government to work with us to find ways to keep construction going, as the industry has done safely and successfully around the country throughout 2020."

Even at the height of the pandemic crisis with hundreds of cases being reported daily, the construction industry in Victoria did not shut down completely. The Victorian CFMEU and MBA successfully worked together to keep sites safe and maintain the industry's role as a backbone of the economy.

"The industry in South Australia has already put in place strong safety and hygiene measures to limit the risk of Covid exposure and spread on construction sites and we are ready to work with the State Government to keep the industry open and able to maintain its vital role to the SA economy.  It can be done," he said.

"It is critical that the industry is able to commence planning this weekend for a start next Wednesday – or sooner, so that construction work can start in a safe, planned and controlled way."

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THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has launched two new inquiries into Governance of Public Resources and Regulatory Activities as part of its examination of Auditor-General reports.

Committee Chair Ms Lucy Wicks MP said, “By taking a thematic approach to these inquiries, the Committee seeks to encourage improvements in key areas of public administration.

“For the first inquiry, we’ll be looking into how governance of public resources can be improved across Commonwealth entities, to ensure Australia’s public sector can continue to deliver better outcomes,” Ms Wicks said.

“The second inquiry will look into regulatory activities—how effectively Commonwealth entities regulate matters in accordance with relevant legislation, including monitoring compliance."

As Parliament’s joint public administration committee, the JCPAA has an important role in holding Commonwealth entities to account. The Committee has the power to initiate its own inquiries. The Committee examines all reports of the Auditor-General tabled in the Parliament and can inquire into any items, matters or circumstances connected with these reports.

Submissions from interested individuals and organisations are invited by Friday January 29, 2020. The preferred method of receiving submissions is by electronic format lodged online using a My Parliament account.

Further information about the inquiries is available on the Committee’s website.

The Committee’s inquiries are based on the following Auditor-General reports:

Governance in the Stewardship of Public Resources

No. 11 (2019-20), Implementation of the Digital Continuity 2020 Policy
No. 31 (2019-20), Management of Defence Housing Australia
No. 39 (2019-20), Implementation of the CSIRO Property Investment Strategy
No. 2 (2020-21), Procurement of Strategic Water Entitlements
No. 9 (2020-21), Purchase of the ‘Leppington Triangle’ Land for the Future Development of Western Sydney Airport

Regulatory Activities

No. 33 (2019-20), Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency’s Regulation of Higher Education
No. 47 (2019-20), Referrals, Assessments and Approvals of Controlled Actions under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
No. 48 (2019-20), Management of the Australian Government’s Lobbying Code of Conduct: Follow-up Audit
No. 5 (2020-21), Regulation of the National Energy Market
No. 8 (2020-21), Administration of Financial Disclosure Requirements under the Commonwealth Electoral Act

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KEY PLAYERS in the superannuation sector will be scrutinised at the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics public hearing this Friday.

Committee Chair Tim Wilson said Friday’s hearing would provide an opportunity to ask questions about superannuation funds’ response to COVID-19.

"We are continuing our scrutiny of the super sector to ensure they’re putting members and members’ interests first," Mr Wilson said. "The significant numbers of Australians who have accessed their super during the pandemic highlights the need for the sector to be there for Australians when they need them.

"Recently our scrutiny has raised questions about bonuses above $30 million for individual fund managers from the superannuation savings of Australians, prompted ASIC investigations into potential insider trading and anti-competitive behaviour within funds.

'Following on from our hearing on 6 November, we are looking forward to exploring these and other super related topics further, as, particularly in times like these, it is crucial that the superannuation sector is operating effectively, fairly, and to the benefit of fund members."

The hearing forms part of a broader review of Australia’s four major banks and other financial institutions. Examination of these institutions will also include monitoring the financial sector’s progress on implementing relevant recommendations from the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry.

A full program for the hearing is available on the committee’s website.

Public hearing details

Date: Friday, 20 November 2020
Time: 10.30am to 5.30pm
Location: Videoconference

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

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THE Australian Securities and Investments Commission [ASIC] will appear before the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services at a public hearing via videoconference on Wednesday 18 November 2020.

The committee will review the performance and operations of the corporate regulator, with a particular focus on ASIC’s organisational structure.

The committee will hear evidence from the Australian National Audit office (ANAO) after its recent audit which identified potentially inappropriate expenses paid to ASIC Commissioners.

Submissions will also be heard from a number of academic experts on the optimal organisational structure for regulators.

This will be the fifth public hearing with ASIC before the Corporations and Financial Services committee in this Parliament.

Committee Chair Senator James Paterson said, “This hearing is an opportunity for the committee to hear from experts about ASIC’s leadership structure and alternatives to ensure we have a high-performing regulator which enjoys the trust and confidence of Australians.”  

Public hearing details

Date:  Wednesday, 18 November 2020
Time:  9am to 5pm
Location: Videoconference
The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

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