A PARLIAMENTARY inquiry into the impact of COVID-19 on Australia’s defence, trade and international relations will hear from the Department of Home Affairs at its next public hearing on Thursday.

Senator David Fawcett, Chair of the Parliament’s Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee, said Home Affairs had played a central role in the Australian Government’s response the COVID-19 pandemic.

Senator Fawcett said, “Home Affairs has a wide-reaching portfolio and the committee looks forward to hearing about its management of the pandemic and the contributions it plans to make to Australia’s recovery and future resilience, especially through the management of Australia’s critical infrastructure.”

Witnesses from Home Affairs will give evidence on the Department’s work coordinating Australia’s pandemic response as well as its functions in immigration and border security.

Full terms of reference for the inquiry are on the Committee website.

Public hearing details

Date: Thursday 6 August
Time: 3pm – 4.30pm AEST 
Location: By teleconference

The hearings will be audio streamed live at aph.gov.au/live

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THE House of Representatives Committee on Tax and Revenue will be holding a public hearing for its inquiry into the Commissioner of Taxation Annual Report 2018-19.  

The Committee will hear from Nina E. Olson, executive director of the Center for Taxpayer Rights and former United States taxpayer advocate, who will offer a valuable international perspective on tax administration.

Chair of the Committee, Jason Falinski MP, said the Committee was interested to learn more about the taxation system of the United States and the ways in which the United States Internal Revenue Service assists vulnerable taxpayers.  

"The Committee has a strong interest in taxpayer engagement with the tax system and ensuring that people with low tax literacy or vulnerable taxpayers are not unfairly treated in a complex system of self-assessment. We look forward to hearing about the approach of the United States and the taxpayer advocate in this regard," Mr Falinski said.

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

Public hearing details

Date: Thursday, 13 August 2020
Time: 8am to 9am
Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra (via video/teleconference)

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

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VIPA, the association for Virgin Group pilots, said it was devastated at today’s announcement that in excess of 30 percent of the Virgin pilot group will lose their jobs.

This decision impacts pilots flying the wide body (B777 and A330, internationally) and ATR72.  At this stage VIPA is unsure of the impact upon the B737 Virgin fleet.

The total number of pilots who will be made redundant is likely to be approximately 400 of the 1400 remaining VA Group pilots.  VIPA represents more than half of these pilots, who have more than 20,000 years of flight experience between them.

“The knock-on effect this decision will have on the economy is significant; including future skills shortages, loss of technical experience and the inability to retain skilled Australian pilots,” VIPA president John Lyons said today.

“The Federal Government has let down these Virgin employees and the Australian aviation industry as a whole by not providing specific support, as well as the travelling public – this is the exact opposite action that governments in the US, UK and Europe have taken.

“Given the specialist nature of these roles, our workers’ skills are not easily transferable and take years to secure, so they dedicate their careers to these jobs. This is devastating news for them, but also very sad news for the Australian public at large who will undoubtedly see an increase in fares and decrease in services as a result.”

VIPA, in conjunction with the ACTU, worked very hard as a group to maximise as many jobs as possible were kept and to ensure that full entitlements would be paid for those made redundant.

VIPA will maintain pressure on Bain to keep its commitment to establish and fund Virgin Australia as a sustainable and successful business if required during recovery.

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THE SALE of Australian Associated Press (AAP) to a consortium of impact investors and philanthropists has been formally completed, ending 85 years of ownership by Australia’s major publishing groups.

The national news agency will continue to provide a trusted breaking news service with a team of journalists and photographers, most of whom have joined the new organisation from the legacy business.

The AAP name and brand will be retained.

New AAP CEO Emma Cowdroy welcomed the finalisation of the agreement.

"The successful sale has ensured that AAP has not only survived but that it now has the opportunity to thrive," Ms Cowdroy said.  "Our backers and the board are united in our determination to continue AAP's critical role as the source of truly independent news for all Australians. 

"The value of independent journalism for the benefit of our society has never been more important and the new-look AAP will be underpinned by this philosophy."

Bruce Davidson, the outgoing CEO after 10 years in the role, wished the new owners every success.

“The legacy of the news agency is in good hands and I’m delighted that the spirit of AAP will live on into the future.”

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