THE Joint Standing Committee on Trade and Investment Growth has released its interim report into the Australian Government’s approach to negotiating trade and investment agreements, examining how the process can be strengthened to build on Australia’s success as a trading nation and ensure agreements are of the greatest benefit for all Australians.

Australia’s agreements reduce barriers to international trade and investment for Australian goods and services, playing an important role in creating well-paid and secure jobs, improving our economic resilience, and contributing to economic growth and increased living standards.

Throughout the inquiry to date, the Committee has heard about the immense benefits of Australia’s participation in international trade, as well as the need to consider the potential effect of agreements on a wide range of stakeholders and how the benefits of trade are shared.

Chair of the Committee, Steve Georganas MP, said, “Australia’s approach to negotiating trade and investment agreements has served us well, however the Committee has sought to understand how the approach could be improved to ensure agreements are of greatest benefit to the Australian community.

“It’s evident to the Committee that more transparent consultation processes will allow increased understanding of the impact of trade agreements on stakeholders and that better utilising their insights and expertise can contribute to improved negotiation outcomes for Australia.”

The interim report makes five recommendations focussed on strengthening Australia’s approach by improving transparency, accountability, and oversight in the negotiation of trade and investment agreements. These include:

• Establishing a tripartite trade advisory committee to achieve a better balance between transparency and confidentiality in negotiations, enabling in-depth and informed feedback to government.
• Codifying the practice of publishing information outlining negotiation aims and objectives for all future trade and investment agreement negotiations.
• Providing transparency and information to stakeholders and the public about negotiations equivalent to the information provided by the other party.
• Regular briefings to parliamentary committees on the status and progress of trade and investment agreements.
• Undertaking independent periodic reviews of agreements to ensure that they are operating as intended and achieving the expected benefits.

In the final report, the Committee will cover the remaining inquiry Terms of Reference.

So far during the inquiry, the Committee has held six public hearings in Canberra and Melbourne, in addition to receiving 54 written submissions from businesses, unions, industry associations, government agencies, community groups and individuals. The Committee will hear more evidence before the inquiry concludes.

The Committee has thanked people who have taken part in the inquiry by providing written submissions and giving evidence at public hearings. The Committee said it was looking forward to engaging further with stakeholders as it continues the inquiry and will provide a final report in due course.

The interim report can be found on the Committee’s ​inquiry webpage.

ends

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

The Subcommittee will speak with the following representatives: New Caledonia -  Dr Yves Lafoy, Counsellor; Samoa - Her Excellency Ms Hinauri Petana, High Commissioner, Her Excellency Mrs Anna Main, Deputy High Commissioner; Solomon Islands - His Excellency Mr Robert Sisilo, High Commissioner; Republic of Vanuatu  - His Excellency Mr Samson Vilvil Fare, High Commissioner.

Chair of the Trade Subcommittee, Senator Deborah O’Neill, said, "Continuing the dialogue in relation to tourism and international education between Australia and the Pacific is critical to enable all countries to reach their potential growth in these two important sectors.

"COVID-19 presented some clear challenges to all countries, especially in terms of trade and growth. The Subcommittee looks forward to discussing some opportunities for growth in both tourism and international education, now and into the future," Senator O’Neill said.

Further information about the inquiry and program is available on the inquiry webpage. This hearing will be broadcast via the APH website.

Public hearing

Date: Wednesday, 7 February 2024
Venue: Committee Room 2S3, Parliament House, Canberra
Time: 9:15am – 10:30am (AEDT).

ends

TODAY, on the second anniversary of the adoption of the Set the Standard report, we acknowledge that an unacceptably high rate of people, particularly women, in Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces have experienced bullying, sexual harassment, or actual or attempted sexual assault at work.

This misconduct is unacceptable, and we acknowledge the grave impact it had or continues to have on previous and current staff.

For two years, the Parliamentary Leadership Taskforce has led the implementation of the Set the Standard reforms. The Parliament thanks the Taskforce for their continuous work and leadership.

Today, we recommit the Parliament to positive change, and acknowledge achievements to date, including:

• Establishing the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service as a statutory body, offering independent and confidential support to everyone in Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces.
• Reforms to modernise the Members of Parliament Act to ensure employees are protected from discrimination, as well as refreshed professional development and improved management practices.
• Undertaking reviews to further enhance inclusivity and dignity of access of Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces.
• Endorsing clear and consistent Codes of Conduct with consultations on the proposed Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission expected to commence shortly.
• Supporting the health and wellbeing of parliamentarians and staff with enhanced wellbeing services.
• Improving work health and safety, with a new framework to manage shared risks.
• Additional professional development opportunities to support leaders at all levels, particularly induction programs and training on safe and respectful workplaces.

While significant progress has been made, the journey towards truly respectful and inclusive Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces is ongoing.

Cultural change will only come with the goodwill of parliamentarians. We must remain committed to building a workplace reflecting the nation’s values and expectations, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of everyone who works in, and supports the Parliament of Australia.

ends

THE House Standing Committee on Economics will hold its first public hearings over the next four weeks as part of its inquiry into insurers’ responses to claims resulting from the major floods in 2022.

Many thousands of people were affected by the floods all along the east coast – from south-east Queensland down to Tasmania. The trauma is continuing for many people – with delays in being rehoused just one issue. A number of the affected towns were also hit again by floods over the recent Christmas/New Year period, compounding the trauma.

The inquiry is considering the experiences of people in dealing with their insurance company and the challenges that insurers faced in responding to a record number of claims.  

The inquiry’s Terms of Reference cover the floods in south-east Queensland and northern NSW in February and March; in greater Sydney and the Hunter Valley in July; in Victoria, NSW and Tasmania in October; and in the central west of NSW in November and December.

Committee Chair, Daniel Mulino MP, is familiar with many of the issues people have faced when making insurance claims and dealing with their insurer.

“Maribyrnong is a riverside suburb in my electorate of Fraser, and it was hit hard by the October 2022 flood. More than 500 homes and businesses were flooded and I and my staff are continuing to advocate for residents who are still trying to resolve issues with their insurer,” Dr Mulino said.

The committee has received numerous submissions – including from consumer advocacy groups that worked closely with policyholders and insurers following the floods; regulators; local councils; and more.

“Many of the submissions articulate the struggles that residents faced, including long delays in damage assessments and repairs, claims being denied because of ‘wear and tear’ exclusions, inadequate cash settlements and poor communication, which all compounded people’s frustrations,” Dr Mulino said. “The committee is looking forward to hearing all the evidence.

“Given the increasing frequency of natural disasters, it is critical that the insurance industry remains robust to withstand these challenges, and that policyholders can be confident that they will be properly supported in future claims regardless of their insurer.”

So far, 391 people have also provided feedback about their experience with their insurer through an online survey, which will remain open for the duration of the inquiry. The committee encourages affected individuals to complete the survey. There is also time for people and organisations to make a submission to the inquiry through this online link.

Australia’s eight largest insurers have also lodged submissions, which have provided insights into how prepared each insurer was to deal with the record number of flood-related claims made in 2022; the measures taken to improve their preparedness for weather-related claims; and the effects of skills, labour and materials shortages on handling claims. The Committee looks forward to questioning the insurers further on these matters.

The first public hearing, involving consumer groups, will be held on Wednesday, January 31.

Public hearing – Consumer groups

Date: 31 January 2024
Time: 9.30am to 4.30pm (AEDT)
Location: Videoconference

Public hearing – Consumer groups

Date: 1 February 2024
Time: 9.30am to 3.00pm (AEDT)
Location: Videoconference

Public hearing – Regulators (Australian Securities and Investments Commission, Australian Prudential Regulation Authority)

Date: 2 February 2024
Time: 9.30am to 12.45pm (AEDT)
Location: Videoconference

Public hearing – Insurance Council of Australia, Major insurers

Date: 5 February 2024
Time: 9.15am to 4.30pm (AEDT)
Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House

Public hearing – Major insurers

Date: 9 February 2024
Time: 1.30pm to 4.45pm (AEDT)
Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House

Public hearing – Major insurers, Australian Financial Complaints Authority

Date: 21 February 2024
Time: 10.00am to 3.30pm (AEDT)
Location: Videoconference

Public hearing – the General Insurance Code Governance Committee, Reinsurers

Date: 23 February 2024
Time: 9.15am to 4.30pm (AEDT)
Location: Videoconference

Programs for the hearings are available on the inquiry website.

A live video stream will also be available on the APH website.

ends