TODAY, the Human Rights Subcommittee of the  Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, will conduct its first public hearing for its inquiry into Australia's efforts to advocate for the worldwide abolition of the death penalty.

The half day public hearing will hear from representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Attorney-General’s Department, the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Human Rights Commission.

Chair of the subcommittee, Maria Vamvakinou MP said, "This first public hearing will allow us to look at the advocacy role of the Australian Government, gain an overview of Australia’s efforts to date in advocating for the abolition of the death penalty, and examine any progress made against past recommendations on the issue.

“Australia is a vocal opponent of the death penalty and while there has been a trend over time towards abolition globally, there are still countries, including some of Australia’s closest partners, who currently impose and carry out the death penalty. Continued advocacy is important and nuanced, and looking into Australia’s efforts is critical to understanding what we are doing and what we need to do to be impactful.”

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

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THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) has commenced an inquiry into the use and governance of artificial intelligence (AI) systems by public sector entities.

Chair of the JCPAA, Linda Burney MP, said, "Evidence to the committee’s 2022-23 Commonwealth Financial Statements inquiry indicated an increased adoption of AI by public sector entities but also a lack of adequate governance frameworks to regulate and monitor this use. The committee has decided that oversight is needed of the current and potential future impacts of this fast-developing technology in delivering outcomes for the Australian public."

The inquiry will have particular regard to the following:

• the purposes for which AI is currently being used by the public sector entity and whether there are planned or likely future uses;
• the existing legislative, regulatory and policy frameworks that are relevant to the use of AI and whether they are fit for purpose;
• whether the internal governance structures that currently exist for AI will ensure its ethical and responsible use by public sector entities;
• the internal framework/policies or additional controls used for assessing the risks associated with the use and possible misuse of AI, including the areas of security, privacy, ethics, bias, discrimination, transparency and accountability;
• whether there is an adequate line of sight to the output of AI, and the decisions made through its use;
• whether the public sector has the internal capability to effectively adopt and utilise AI into the future;
• whether there are sovereign capability issues to consider given that most AI tools currently used in Australia are sourced from overseas;
• any other related matters.

Submissions to the inquiry addressing the above terms of reference are invited by Friday October 25. Details of this inquiry – including the submissions received and public hearings – will be available on the inquiry website.

The committee will make use of existing submissions to the Inquiry into Commonwealth Financial Statements 2022-23 that were requested from Commonwealth agencies on their use of AI.

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TODAY, September 12, the Foreign Affairs and Aid Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will conduct its fourth public hearing for its inquiry into Australia’s response to the priorities of Pacific Islands and countries in the Pacific.

The subcommittee will today hear evidence from leading Australian academics.

Chair of the Subcommittee, Josh Burns MP, said, “The committee looks forward to the insights of some of our leading academics into Australia’s role in our region and the priorities that the Pacific itself has set.

“We are particularly excited to welcome academics of Pacifica origin as well as those that have studied the attitudes, interests, and priorities of diverse communities across the Pacific.”

Further information, including the hearing program is available on the Inquiry webpage.

Public Hearing Details

Date: Thursday 12 September 2024

11:30am – 12:30pm (AEST)

Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra

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

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties has tabled a report recommending the ratification of two major treaty actions.

They are::

• Agreement Between the Government of Australia and the Government of Papua New Guinea on a Framework for Closer Security Relations; and
• International Labour Organization Convention No. 187: Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention adopted at Geneva on 15 June 2006

The Australia-Papua New Guinea (PNG) agreement establishes a framework that will deepen security cooperation between the two countries and create obligations for the countries to work closely on mutual security interests. The agreement strengthens cooperation in traditional security areas such as defence, policing, border, and maritime security, as well as non-traditional areas such as cyber security, climate change, family violence, and critical infrastructure.

Committee Chair, Lisa Chesters MP, said the Australia-PNG agreement ‘"reflects the long-standing cooperation, shared history, geographical proximity, and common regional strategic outlook between our two nations".

"This agreement serves the national interests of both countries and contributes to a safe, stable, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific," she said.

International Labour Organization Convention No. 187 prevents occupational injuries, diseases, and deaths by requiring International Labour Organization (ILO) Members to establish and implement national policies, systems and programmes to promote a safe and healthy working environment.

"Ratifying ILO Convention No. 187 would demonstrate Australia’s commitment to workplace health and safety. Ratification would also mean that Australia has ratified all 10 fundamental ILO conventions, demonstrating our commitment to protecting workers from occupational harm and strengthening our position as a leader of international labour standards within the Asia-Pacific region," Ms Chesters said.

The Committee’s report also contains two minor treaty actions:

• Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers
• 1996 Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping Wastes and Other Matters 1972

The committee supports ratification and recommends that binding treaty action be taken for both major treaties and the two minor treaty actions.

The report can be found on the Committee website, along with further information on the inquiries.

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