A NEW online survey is seeking metropolitan views on Australia’s regions as part of a Federal Parliamentary inquiry into regional Australia.

The House of Representatives Select Committee on Regional Australia Chair, Tony Pasin, said understanding how Australians living in metropolitan areas perceive the regions is important to regional migration, business and growth.

"Earlier this year we got a huge amount of feedback from a survey for people out in the regions, and now it’s time for city-dwellers to have their say," Mr Pasin said.

"We’re particularly interested in hearing from the large number of people living in our big cities who are considering a tree or a sea-change."

The impact of COVID-19 has affected all areas of Australian life, and the Committee is interested in learning how the pandemic might have affected Australians’ views on living in larger cities.

"As a result of COVID-19, many people are realising the benefits found in Australia’s regions," Mr Pasin said.

"We want to investigate this changing mood and see how the regions can be enjoyed by more Australians.

"We already knew that Australia’s regions are diverse and complex, but as through this inquiry we’re learning they’re also consistently competitive when it comes to housing and liveability.

"I encourage anyone who lives in Australia’s major cities to participate in the online survey."

The survey is open until October 16, 2020 and takes less than 10 minutes to complete.

The Committee is continuing to accept new and updated submissions, which can be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

To learn more about the inquiry or read submissions received so far, visit aph.gov.au/regionalaustralia.

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CONSERVATION fencing used to protect native Australian wildlife from predation by feral cats is a focus of Wednesday’s third public hearing for the House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment and Energy inquiry into the problem of feral and domestic cats in Australia.

Australian Wildlife Conservancy will appear before the committee to discuss its work in establishing feral cat-free areas, with a total of eight fenced areas and one entire island supporting populations of 15 nationally-threatened mammals around Australia.

Committee Chair Ted O’Brien MP said, “The work of organisations like Australian Wildlife Conservancy in protecting native Australian wildlife from predation by feral cats is an important undertaking and the Committee looks forward to hearing about its successes and challenges.”

Public hearing details

Date: Wednesday September 2, 2020
Time: 10.15am to 11am
Location: Via teleconference

For the information of those wishing to listen to the public hearings, proceedings will be available on the Parliament’s website. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, committee hearings are not presently open for physical attendance by members of the public.

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A PARLIAMENTARY inquiry into the Australian Citizenship Amendment (Citizenship Cessation) Bill 2019 has recommended that the Parliament pass the bill with relatively few amendments, in a report tabled today.

Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, Andrew Hastie, said the Committee acknowledges the role that citizenship loss can provide to keep Australians safe from terrorists.

"The Committee’s report recommends and welcomes the move from an ‘operation of law’ model of citizenship loss to a ministerial decision model. As with many submitters the Committee is pleased that this increases the opportunity for persons affected by citizenship cessation provisions to seek judicial review and, in relation to an ASIO Qualified Security Assessment (QSA), merits review," Mr Hastie said.

The report recommends that the Explanatory Memorandum clarify that proposed section 36B of the Bill require the Minister to be ‘reasonably’ satisfied of the matters listed in proposed subsection 36B(1) before determining that a person ceases to be an Australian citizen and that the Explanatory Memorandum of the Bill clarify that under proposed section 36E(2) dealing with a public interest test before citizenship is ceased the Minister must take into account the following matters:

• the likely effects of citizenship cessation on any dependents of the person whose citizenship the Minister is proposing to cancel;
• a person’s connection to Australia; and
• conduct that would be captured by Chapter 8 of the Criminal Code.

Mr Hastie emphasised the serious nature of crimes that could result in citizenship loss.

"If dual-national Australian citizens resolve to harm, maim and kill their fellow citizens through acts of terror, then we must be prepared to impose costs for such behaviour," Mr Hastie said.

"The offences for which a dual citizen may lose their citizenship include; international terrorist activities using explosive or lethal devices, treason, sabotage, espionage, foreign interference and offences associated with planning, preparation and carrying out terrorism. The lowest penalty for these offences is 10 years imprisonment with most attracting imprisonment of 25 years to life imprisonment.

"Those who choose the dark path of terrorism reject the gift and responsibilities of Australian citizenship," Mr Hastie said.

The report can be obtained from the Committee’s website.

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THE Fair Work Commission has granted orders allowing a ballot of tug crews employed by Svitzer Australia at dozens of ports around Australia to determine whether they will undertake legally protected industrial action.

Fair Work Commission deputy president Anna Booth last week granted the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) the right to hold the ballot, with workers to vote on whether they will undertake a range of actions such as stoppages, bans on overtime, and temporary changes to work practices.

MUA assistant national secretary Ian Bray said the decision to hold the ballot of members, which will be conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission, was made after months of stalled negotiations

“Svitzer Australia has essentially been unwilling to enter into meaningful negotiations for a new enterprise agreement following the expiration of the previous deal,” Mr Bray said.

“Rather than engage in genuine negotiations, the company put forward an offer that would have imposed wage freezes for the next two years.

“With negotiations stalled for months, and Svitzer showing no willingness to bargain in good faith to reach an agreement, the union has made the decision to escalate the matter by undertaking a protected action ballot of members.

“Our members are being asked to vote on 20 potential forms of industrial action, including stoppages of various lengths, bans on overtime, a requirement to return to the berth for breaks, and modifications to work practices such as a refusal to undertake online training or use certain work systems.

“Workers are frustrated that the Svitzer is not only refusing to bargain in good faith, but at the same time has been pressing ahead with aggressive attacks on the Port Operating Procedures in several ports.”

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