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Diabetes in Australia in 2024 - Parliamentary Enquiry reports

HAVING COMPLETED a year-long inquiry that generated almost 500 written submissions, the House Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport today tabled an important report on the state of diabetes mellitus in Australia.

Committee Chair, Mike Freelander MP said, "In Australia, approximately 1.5 million people – some five percent of the population – are known to live with a form of diabetes. In addition, it is expected that the number of Australians diagnosed with the condition will continue to rise. The nation faces what has throughout the inquiry been referred to as a diabetes epidemic."

According to Dr Freelander, the fundamental aim of the committee’s report was to improve health outcomes for Australians affected by all forms of diabetes. By placing particular emphasis on prevention, the committee is also seeking to raise awareness of major risk factors associated with the disease, such as obesity.

"Throughout the inquiry, the committee heard about ways the Australian Government can improve access to new diabetes technology and life-saving medications for people living with different forms of diabetes," Dr Freeelander said.

"There are also many ways that we can support Australians to prevent, delay the onset of and better manage this condition. This report seeks to improve health outcomes for patients living with all forms of diabetes and obesity, and reduce the burden of chronic disease on Australia’s health care system."

The committee made 23 recommendations aimed at strengthening the government’s response to diabetes and obesity.

In addition to the written submissions received, the committee held 15 days of public hearings attended by individuals, organisations and government bodies all of whom provided valuable input for the inquiry. The committee has expressed "its sincere thanks to all those who provided written submissions or appeared before a hearing".

The committee said it was "particularly appreciative of the time taken by the many people who, despite being personally impacted by diabetes, went to considerable effort to contribute to the inquiry".

The report and further information about the committee can be found on its website.

 

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Treaties Committee recommends ratification of Australia-US space launches

THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) has tabled a report recommending the ratification of the following treaty action for Australia-US space 

The treaty action is defined in the Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United States of America on Technology Safeguards Associated with United States Participation in Space Launches from Australia.

Committee Chair Josh Wilson MP said, “This agreement aligns with Australia’s national interests and benefits the development of the Australian Space industry, by growing a more skilled workforce in the space sector and providing increased opportunities for Australian companies. The increase in US investment and activity will also benefit the Australian economy.”

“The agreement reflects Australia’s commitment to transforming and growing our space sector, as well as further developing our strong bilateral relationship with the US," Mr Wilson said.

The Agreement aims to protect US technology launched in Australia and ensure that it remains under US control. It provides a legal and technical framework that protects US launch vehicles, spacecraft, related equipment, and technical data. This would enable US companies, government organisations and universities to undertake commercial space launch activities in Australia. 

The committee said it supported ratification and recommended that binding treaty action be taken for this agreement.

The report can be found on the committee website, along with further information on the inquiry.

 

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Committee to inquire into Australia's global efforts to abolish the death penalty

THE Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, through the Human Rights Subcommittee (the Subcommittee), has commenced an inquiry into Australia's efforts to advocate for the worldwide abolition of the death penalty.

The inquiry was referred by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong on June 27, 2024 with specific Terms of Reference.

Chair of the Subcommittee, Maria Vamvakinou said, “there is no place for the death penalty in the modern world. State executions are cruel and are often associated with miscarriages of justice; all too often, innocent people are put to death and around the world, minorities and those with disabilities are disproportionately sentenced to death.”

The Subcommittee will look also into progress against the recommendations in the 2017 Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade report: A world without the death penalty: Australia's Advocacy for the Abolition of the Death Penalty.

Submissions from interested individuals and organisations addressing the terms of reference for this inquiry are invited by August 2, 2024. The preferred method of receiving submissions is by electronic format lodged online using a My Parliament account.

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

 

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CFMEU 'divorce law' welcomed by Manufacturing Division

THE Manufacturing Division of the CFMEU has welcomed the Australian Parliament’s passage of a new law which provides our members a vote on the future of their union.

This key legislation, passed by the Senate this afternoon, empowers members to decide if their union, the Manufacturing Division, stays amalgamated with or withdraws from the CFMEU.

The Manufacturing Division will now act to facilitate proceedings providing members with a vote by secret ballot conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission.

National secretary Michael O’Connor expressed the Manufacturing Division’s appreciation to Senator Jacquie Lambie, Minister Tony Burke and other supportive Parliamentarians.

“We are pleased that the parliament has passed this crucial legislation,” Mr O’Connor said,

“We thank Senator Lambie, Minister Burke and all of the Members of Parliament who did the right thing by our members.”

A notable and disappointing absence from the large parliamentary consensus which supported the legislation was the Australian Greens.

“The Greens oddly seem to think they are better placed than our members to determine what is best for them, their families and their communities,” Mr O'Connor said.

The Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Withdrawal from Amalgamation) Bill 2024 is largely modelled on an amendment moved by Senator Lambie earlier this year.

The bill was introduced and passed the House of Representatives last week and passed the Senate this afternoon with bi-partisan support.

The Manufacturing Division has sought to put the question of whether to withdraw from the CFMEU to its members for some years but was frustrated by the Construction Division’s opposition.

Manufacturing Division members work in vital industries in the economy including floor covering, cabinetry, joinery, glass and glazing, installation and shopfitting, forestry, timber and wood products, pulp and paper, furniture, textile clothing and footwear, and building products and materials manufacturing.

“Our members are now on a pathway to a more active and respected role in the labour movement which they can achieve by formally dissociating themselves with the CFMEU and its ever-deteriorating reputation,” Mr  O’Connor said.

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Live music inquiry public hearings

THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts is holding a second round of public hearings this week for its inquiry into the challenges and opportunities within the Australian live music industry.

This week the committee will again be speaking with industry stakeholders, including promoters, production specialists, events infrastructure developers, and community organisations. It will also host three case study roundtables on the Cobargo Folk Festival, the Tamworth Country Music Festival and the Port Fairy Folk Festival.

Committee Chair, Brian Mitchell MP, said, "The committee looks forward to delving deeper into the operational and regulatory challenges that are facing live music event operators.

"The committee is equally looking forward to discussing how the Cobargo, Tamworth and Port Fairy festivals, all longstanding events, are facing these challenges, and what benefits they bring to their local communities and economies," Mr Mitchell said.

Details of the public hearings are below, with the full programs and terms of reference available on the inquiry webpage.

More information about the committee, including membership, may be found on the Committee’s website.

Public hearing details

Date: Wednesday, 3 July 2024
Time: 12.45pm – 1.30pm
Location: Committee Room 1R6, Parliament House, Canberra

Date: Friday, 5 July 2024
Time: 9am – 3.10pm
Location: Committee Room 1R2, Parliament House, Canberra

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

 

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