THE Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories will examine the importance of Antarctica to Australia’s national interest in a new inquiry launched today.

Committee Chair, Alicia Payne MP, said, “Australia has a proud history as an Antarctic leader. The Australian Antarctic Territory covers approximately 42 percent of the continent and Australia plays a significant role in maintaining the continent for peace, scientific exploration, and environmental protection.

“Australia’s ongoing and future commitments in Antarctica are now more important than ever. Australia has a responsibility to itself and the international community to remain a strong advocate for Antarctica through its domestic and international policy.

“Our need to keep pace with technological and scientific advancements as well as ensure the protection of the region and its biodiversity will be a key focus of this inquiry.

"We will also be examining Australia’s role in upholding the Antarctic Treaty System and how Antarctica contributes to Australia’s economic and social development,” Ms Payne said.

The committee is welcoming submissions from interested individuals and organisations by April 12, 2024. Further information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and how to contribute, is available on the committee’s website.

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THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) will hear evidence tomorrow from a range of expert witnesses for the Review of the Defence Amendment (Safeguarding Australia’s Military Secrets) Bill 2023.

The committee will hear from a number of witnesses, including the Australian Industry Group, the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union, and key government agencies: the Department of Defence and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.

 “The Military Secrets Bill will work to regulate the work that certain former defence staff members can perform for or on behalf of a military organisation or government body of a relevant foreign country," PJCIS Chair, Peter Khalil MP said. "The committee will closely examine the Military Secrets Bill to ensure that it appropriately manages the potential risk of former defence staff members revealing sensitive defence information and placing Australia’s national security at risk.

“The public hearing will allow the PJCIS to hear from industry groups regarding its potential impacts. The committee will then test this evidence with the Department of Defence who would administer this legislation and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation,” Mr Khalil said.

Further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the Committee’s website.

Public Hearing Details

Thursday, 22 February 2024
​10am – 12:15pm (AEDT)
​Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra

A program for the hearing can be found here and the hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

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TODAY, the Defence Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will conduct its first public hearing into the Department of Defence Annual Report 2022–23.

The subcommittee will hear evidence from the Department of Defence on the inquiry’s first focus item: Assistance to Ukraine.

Chair of the subcommittee, Julian Hill MP said, “The Department of Defence will kick off this inquiry with a public hearing focussed on Australia’s defence assistance to Ukraine. How Defence is providing support through Operation Kudu and how lethal and non-lethal capabilities are transferred to Ukraine in support of its war effort and sovereignty is of great public interest.”

Further information is available on the Inquiry webpage.

Public Hearing Details

Tuesday, 27 February 2024
5:40pm – 6:30pm (AEDT)
Committee Room 1R1, Parliament House, Canberra

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

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THE Trade Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will hold a public hearing today in Adelaide for its inquiry into Australia’s tourism and international education sectors.

The subcommittee will hear evidence from the international education sector including several universities, TAFE SA and StudyAdelaide. The subcommittee will also hear from the South Australian Tourism Commission and several tourism operators in the Adelaide Hills region.

Chair of the Trade Subcommittee, Senator Deborah O’Neill said, "The public hearing in Adelaide will focus on the intersection between international education and tourism rebuilding post COVID-19."

Further information about the inquiry and program, are available on the inquiry webpage.

Public hearings details

Adelaide

Date: Tuesday 20 February 2024
Venue: David Spence Room, 128 King Williams St, Adelaide
Time: 8:30am – 4:45pm (Adelaide time - ACST)

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