THE Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories has tabled its report, Australia’s Antarctic Territory: Report on the Inquiry into the Importance of Antarctica to Australia’s National Interests.

Committee Chair, Alicia Payne MP, said, "This inquiry has highlighted the pivotal role that Antarctica plays in advancing Australia’s scientific, environmental, strategic, and economic priorities. This role is made ever more pressing by the current rate of man-made climate change and the crucial function Antarctica has in regulating our climate systems.

"Science and conservation are the currencies of influence in Antarctica," Ms Payne said. "It is incredibly important that Australia continues to invest in world leading research and support Antarctic science.

The committee has made 13 recommendations relating to Australia’s relationship with the Antarctic Treaty System, supporting conservation and scientific research, and the beneficial position of Hobart as Australia’s Antarctic Gateway.

The report considers the significance of ongoing funding stability for Antarctic research institutions and the need to end the use of terminating measures. The committee has also recommended that the Commonwealth Government prioritise Australia’s icebreaker, the RSV Nuyina, for scientific research, and lease or acquire a second vessel to undertake the core resupply of Australia’s Antarctic stations on an ongoing basis.

The full report of the inquiry can be found on the committee’s inquiry webpage.

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THE Speaker of the House of Representatives, Milton Dick MP, has today launched a National Youth Parliament, to be held in 2026.

The National Youth Parliament will see 150 high school students selected to represent each electorate across Australia to participate in a three-day program in Canberra, including at Australia’s Parliament House.

Youth Members will have the unique opportunity to learn about aspects of being a Member of Parliament, including the process by which bills are drafted, considered, and pass Parliament to become law.

The National Youth Parliament will complement the Speaker’s existing civics education program, Parliament in Schools, which has already been delivered to over 145 schools across Australia, including regional and remote schools.

The National Youth Parliament will begin taking applications in the second half of this year.

"I am so proud that for the first time, the House of Representatives – the people’s House – will be hosting this great program here in Canberra," Mr Dick said.

"The National Youth Parliament will give our young people a national platform to contribute to democracy and politics through a hands-on experience.

'Young people have a vital role to play in public discussion, and a youth parliament is a meaningful and sustained youth engagement model that we have seen across Australia and the Commonwealth.

"I am so passionate about setting up the foundations to ensure our next generation have the skills, tools and knowledge to lead this country through the challenges of our future.

"I look forward to welcoming students from all over Australia to develop their appreciation of civics, parliamentary debate and of course, strengthening our great democracy."

www.aph.gov.au

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THE Australian Workers’ Union has strongly endorsed the passing of the Future Made in Australia (Production Tax Credits and Other Measures) Bill 2024, describing it as a historic step that positions Australia to become a global leader in new energy and advanced manufacturing.

The bill establishes production tax credits that will catalyse private investment at the speed and scale required to develop green hydrogen and critical minerals industries in Australia. 

AWU national secretary Paul Farrow said the legislation would help unlock the nation’s immense potential in critical minerals processing and green hydrogen production — industries that will be critical to Australia’s economic and strategic future.

“Australia’s approach to critical minerals and new energy has been constrained by a ‘dig and ship’ mentality, and this bill tips that on its head," Mr Farrow said. 

"This bill finally provides what industry has been crying out for: investment certainty to move beyond raw exports and build up our domestic processing and manufacturing capabilities. It will create thousands of high-quality jobs, particularly in regional Australia, and ensure future generations of Australian workers benefit from the global industrial shift.

“If this bill is successful in paving the way to reliable, large-scale green hydrogen supply that would be a game-changer for the nation because it would unlock green steel and green aluminium which would be transformative for the Australian economy.

“The ‘community benefit rules’ embedded in this legislation are critical, because they ensure the jobs created will be high-quality positions with good pay and secure conditions. Unlike the approach taken in the past, this bill ensures Australian workers and their communities will share fairly in the gains of Australia’s industrial transition.”

The AWU has been a long-time advocate for securing Australia’s sovereign industrial capability, warning that the concentration of global supply chains— particularly in China — poses a strategic risk for the nation.

"Australia has the whip hand here and this Bill allows us to crack it,“ Mr Farrow said.

"It will help Australia build resilience and safeguard against the risk of being cut out of critical supply chains. Australia has some of the world’s richest reserves of critical minerals, yet we’ve allowed overseas interests to dominate refining and processing. This legislation will reverse that trend and keep more value—and more jobs—onshore.”

Mr Farrow criticised the Coalition’s decision to vote against the legislation, calling it a betrayal of Australia’s industrial future.

“The Coalition's decision to vote against this bill speaks volumes. It's entirely in line with their broader hostility to Australian workers and their industries,” he said.

“At a time when the world is racing ahead in clean energy and critical minerals investment, the Coalition would rather Australia sit on the sidelines. They would apparently rather see Australian jobs go offshore than support the policies needed to develop world-leading industries here.”

Mr Farrow said the AWU would continue working to ensure the implementation of the bill delivers for Australian workers.

“The passing of this bill is a major step forward, but we need to make sure it’s implemented in a way that maximises Australian jobs and industrial development. The AWU will be holding government and industry to account on that."

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will hold a public hearing today for its inquiry into the Convention between Australia and the Portuguese Republic for the Elimination of Double Taxation with respect to Taxes on Income and the Prevention of Tax Evasion and Avoidance.

The convention adds to Australia’s existing tax treaty network and is the first of its kind to be agreed to by Australia and Portugal. The convention promotes closer economic cooperation between the two countries through the reduction of taxation barriers, for example the double taxation of income derived by the residents of either country.

The convention also improves the tax system through providing a framework for cooperation on tax administration which prevents tax avoidance and evasion. 

Committee Chair, Lisa Chesters MP, said, "The committee will investigate if this agreement strengthens the relationship between Australia and Portugal and contributes towards stronger ties, particularly in commercial trade and investment.

"The committee will explore if the convention encourages increased cross-border trade and investment through the reduction in tax barriers that hinder investment. The committee will also examine if the Convention will provide tax certainty for Australian businesses that are looking to expand their operations into Portugal," Ms Chesters said.

The committee will hear evidence from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Australian Taxation Office, and the Department of the Treasury at the public hearing.

Public hearing details

Date: Monday 10 February 2025
Time: 11.30am-1pm (approximately)
Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra

More information about the Committee and its inquiry can be found on the Committee’s website.

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

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