THE House Standing Committee on Agriculture and Water Resources has launched a new inquiry into the impact on the agricultural sector of vegetation and land management policies, regulations and restrictions, and called for submissions.

The Committee’s Chair, Rick Wilson MP, acknowledged that the impact of land management and vegetation policies can be significant on the agricultural sector.

“Bushfires, expanding land use, and hazard management can dictate the future of regional, rural and remote land areas," Mr Wilson said. "The Committee’s inquiry into these issues is timely, given the current and impending natural disaster probability”.

The Committee will be inquiring into these impacts, with particular regard to:

• Past and current practices of land and vegetation management by the agricultural sector and regional industries;
• The science behind activities such as back burning, clearing and rehabilitation;
• The economic impact of vegetation and land management policies, regulations and restrictions;
• The impact of severe fires on the agricultural landscape, agricultural production and industry in regional, rural and remote areas;
• Factors that contribute to fire risk in regional, rural and remote areas; and
• The role the agricultural sector has in working with emergency services and forestry management officials in managing fire risk.

The Committee will be accepting submissions until Friday January 25, 2019.

THE House Standing Committee on the Environment and Energy has released its report into the management and use of environmental water.

The inquiry focused on the role of the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH), including how environmental water is being used, the outcomes achieved and options for improving community engagement.

Environmental water is released from storage at times and locations where plants and animals benefit from higher river flows or when wetlands need replenishment.  

The Committee has recommended that certain practices continue, including the ‘good neighbour’ policy, working with Indigenous communities, funding complementary measures, water trading, and  continued investment in infrastructure programs to ensure that water efficiency is optimised.

The report has also recommended:

• Enhancing public awareness and communicating outcomes relating to environmental watering actions. The CEWH should update its communications and engagement strategy and review the adequacy of its existing mechanisms for consultation with the community.
• The CEWH should consider establishing an advisory or consultative group to inform environmental water use decisions.
• Utilising the best available technology to monitor water movements and assess environmental conditions.

A copy of the report and further information can be found on the inquiry website at www.aph.gov.au/environmentalwater.

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport Committee today presented to Parliament its Advisory Report on the Aged Care Amendment (Staffing Ratio Disclosure) Bill 2018.

The Committee recommended the passage of the Bill, which would require aged care providers to report staff-to-patient ratios for their facilities on a quarterly basis.

The Committee Chair, Trent Zimmerman MP, stated that ‘aged care has been a particular focus of the Committee’s work during 2018. In October, the Committee released the final report for its inquiry into aged care and followed that up with this inquiry.’

"The Committee has recommended the passage of the Bill and welcomes the increased transparency for consumers that will be provided by the publication of staffing ratios. The Committee has also recommended that staffing ratios be published with additional contextual information to assist consumers interpret the data and enable them to be in a better position to make an informed choice," Mr Zimmerman said.

The Report is available at the Committee’s website at: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House/Health_Aged_Care_and_Sport/StaffingRatioBill/Report

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Northern Australia has commenced an Inquiry into the Opportunities and Challenges of the Engagement of Traditional Owners in the Economic Development of Northern Australia.

A significant proportion of Northern Australia is subject to native title claim or determination. The Committee’s 2014 report Pivot North: Inquiry into the Development of Northern Australia identified current land tenure arrangements and native title processes as a barrier to the economic and social development of Northern Australia.

The Committee Chair, Warren Entsch MP, stated that "enabling Traditional Owners to pursue economic development opportunities on their land will support sustainable economic growth in Northern Australia, and create much needed employment opportunities in remote areas".

Submissions from interested individuals and organisations are invited by Thursday, February 28, 2019. The preferred method of receiving submissions is by electronic format lodged online using a My Parliament account.

Further information about the Committee’s inquiry, including the full terms of reference and details on how to lodge a submission are available on the Committee’s website.

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