THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts will inquire into and report on the challenges and opportunities within the Australian live music industry.

The Australian Government committed to initiatives in The National Cultural Policy, Revive to revitalise Australia’s live music industry following the impacts of COVID-19. However, in the wake of numerous venues closing and cancellations of some of Australia’s most established and successful music festivals in recent years, the committee is now considering the industry-wide issues facing the sector.

Chair of the Committee, Brian Mitchell MP, said, "Australia’s live music industry is currently facing considerable operational challenges. In the last couple of years, after the reopening of live music venues and festivals post COVID lockdowns, we have seen the sector face new and unprecedented issues."

Mr Mitchell said, "Some common struggles include the rising costs of presenting live music, shifting consumer behaviours, the loss of skilled workers in the industry, and cost of living ramifications. We will be exploring sustainability and growth in the Australian music industry into the future, domestically and internationally.

"The committee would like to hear about barriers to industry growth, including to export, the impact of current grant and support programs, and capacity building in the sector. The impacts of emerging audience behaviours and mechanisms for audience development will also be explored, along with the suitability and location of venues and artist development and career pathways," Mr Mitchell said.

"The industry sits on the cusp of transformation, and it is important that opportunities are harnessed while the traditional community nature of experiencing a live event is retained.

The committee is welcoming submissions from interested organisations and individuals by April 30, 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 Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters has commenced an inquiry into civics education, engagement, and participation in Australia, and is seeking written submissions in response to the Terms of Reference by Friday, May 24.

The committee is particularly interested in hearing from people with direct experience of civics and citizenship education and challenges associated with electoral participation. This includes students and teachers, young people, First Nations peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, civic and educational organisations, and people in regional, rural, and remote areas.

Committee Chair, Kate Thwaites MP, said, "In a time when we’re seeing challenges for democracies across the world, and a rise in mis- and disinformation, it’s important that every Australian has the opportunity to be informed about and engaged in our democracy.

"The committee wants to hear Australians’ experiences of civics education, and what we can do better to support democratic engagement and participation.

"So many young Australians are passionate about social and political issues, but they may not have access to relevant and reliable information about democratic and electoral processes.

"The diversity of cultures, languages, and life experiences within Australia means we need to ensure access to relevant, digestible, and accurate information about our democracy. This includes for First Nations peoples, people in remote areas and CALD communities."

The committee intends to present a final report for the inquiry by the end of 2024.

Further information about the inquiry is available on the inquiry website.

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ON MARCH 26, the Chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, Graham Perrett MP, presented the Eighty Seventh Annual Report to the House of Representatives.

The report contains a recommendation for reform of the committee’s foundation legislation.

The Public Works Committee was established in 1913. While it has provided parliamentary scrutiny of Commonwealth expenditure and ensured public value of proposed works, the government procurement and construction environment has evolved significantly in the last century.

Mr Perrett said, "A full review of the Public Works Committee legislation, with a view to repealing and replacing the current Act, would ensure the Committee can continue to provide effective oversight of government expenditure".

The annual report is a statutory requirement of the committee. It also includes statistics on inquiries, hearings and medium works for 2023.

For more information about this committee, visit its website.

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THE House Standing Committee on Economics will hold public hearings in the Moreton Bay and Logan regions (Queensland) and the Northern Rivers (New South Wales) on April 9–11 as part of its inquiry into insurers’ responses to 2022 major floods claims.

Committee Chair, Daniel Mulino MP, said the inquiry had heard from regulators, insurance companies and consumer advocacy, and legal rights groups. “Now we want to hear firsthand from the locals in some of the worst-hit regions.”

Dr Mulino said councils, community organisations and businesses had been invited to give evidence at roundtable discussions at the hearings. (Organisations that wish to contribute can email their interest to the Committee secretariat.)

Expressions of interest are also being sought from residents to each give a three- to four-minute public statement about their experience with their insurers. Dr Mulino urged people “with a story to share, and who are willing to go on the public record, to register – as soon as possible – their interest in appearing”.

The committee would like to hear about any of the following issues:

• the experiences of policyholders before, during and after making claims
• timeframes for resolving claims
• obstacles to resolving claims
• insurers’ communication with policyholders
• accessibility and affordability of hydrology reports and other expert assessments
• affordability of insurance premiums
• claimants’ experiences of insurers’ dispute resolution processes.

People interested in appearing should email a one or two sentence summary of their experience to the Committee secretariat.

Dr Mulino acknowledged that the inquiry may not be able to accommodate everybody on the day.

The committee will hold public hearings at:

• The Hub, Caboolture, Queensland on Tuesday April 9.
• Beenleigh Events Centre, Logan, Queensland on Wednesday April 10.
• Invercauld House, Lismore, New South Wales on Thursday April 11.

“We know that in some of these places almost everyone has a story to tell. But for anyone who misses out or who wishes to provide information to the Committee, there is still time to make a public or confidential submission, and/or complete our online survey.”

More than 400 people have completed the survey about their experience with their insurer.

Individuals who want to make a statement at the hearings should email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

They should write “Public hearing” and the hearing location (whether Caboolture, Logan or Lismore) in the subject line and include full name(s) for each person who wants to participate, as well as a contact number and email address.

Submissions can be uploaded through this online link or by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. until July 31, 2024.

Programs for the hearings will be posted on the inquiry website closer to the time. A live audio stream of the hearings will be available on the APH website.

Online survey

The survey is open until July 31 and is available here: Insurers’ responses to 2022 major flood claims.

For further information contact the committee secretariat on 02 6277 4707 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Upcoming hearings, April 2024:

Public Hearing – Moreton Bay, Qld – local councils, businesses, community organisations and community members

Date: 9 April 2024
Time: 9am (tbc)
Location: The Hub, Caboolture

Public Hearing – Logan, Qld – local councils, businesses, community organisations and community members

Date: 10 April 2024
Time: 9am (tbc)
Location: Beenleigh Events Centre

Public Hearing – Lismore – local councils, businesses, community organisations and community members

Date: 11 April 2024
Time: 9am (tbc)
Location: Invercauld House, Goonellabah

Background information

Committee Secretariat
02 6277 4707
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For more information about this committee, visit its website.

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