THEJoint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) will hold a public hearing for its inquiry into the Australia–Tuvalu Falepili Union.

Committee Chair Josh Wilson MP said, “This treaty is an expression of fellowship and cooperation between Tuvalu and Australia and a broader example of Australia’s commitment to building strong relationships with our Pacific neighbours.

“The very heart of this agreement, the Tuvaluan concept of Falepili, is a shared commitment to look out for each other as good neighbours. The committee will examine how the agreement may lead to a stronger and more integrated partnership as Tuvalu and Australia navigate our shared challenges.

"The goals of this union include building climate resilience, safeguarding our collective peace and regional security, and supporting human mobility.”

The committee will hear from officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as well as key academics.

Public hearing details

Date: Wednesday, 19 June 2024
Time: 12pm-2pm approximately
Location: Committee Room 1R4

The hearing can be accessed online and the program for this hearing is available on the Committee website, along with further information about the inquiry. 

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THE CFMEU Manufacturing Division has welcomed the announcement from Employment and Workplace Relations Minister, Tony Burke, that the Federal Government would provide the opportunity for members to vote on their future.

Manufacturing Division members will now have the chance to determine if they want their union to be outside of the CFMEU.

Mr Burke was "100 percent right in his assessment that the status quo in the CFMEU is dysfunctional and cannot continue" a statement from the Manufacturing Division read.

CFMEU Manufacturing national secretary, Michael O’Connor said, "We welcome this, the government is doing the right thing, they have listened to us and are respecting the good judgment of our members.

“Our members, who work in floorcovering, cabinetry and joinery, glass and glazing, installation and shopfitting, timber and wood products, pulp and paper, furniture, textile, clothing and footwear and building products and materials manufacturing, deserve the right to decide how they want to be represented by their union.

“This government has a good track record of backing workers’ rights and this is no exception. We will now move to ensure a vote of our members on this question can occur as a matter of priority.

“We will be encouraging every member to vote in the secret ballot and ensure they are fully informed of the benefits to them from the Manufacturing Division becoming independent of the CFMEU.”   

The Manufacturing Division made an application to the Fair Work Commission more than two years ago to put the demerger question to rank and file Manufacturing Division members and, following CFMEU Construction Division efforts to block the vote from occurring, has supported a Private Members Bill Senator Jacqui Lambie introduced to Parliament earlier this year which would facilitate a vote.

Last year the Mining and Energy Union was allowed a vote on whether to leave the CFMEU and 98 percent of members voted in their thousands to leave.

“Our members will now get the same opportunity as mining and energy workers got last year, to determine the future of their union,” Mr O'Connor said.

“We thank Senator Lambie and Minister Burke, who are backing us in, to give our members an opportunity for a brighter future outside of the CFMEU and a more respected and active role in the labour movement, free from the shackles of the dysfunctional CFMEU,” Mr O’Connor said.

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) will hold a public hearing for its inquiry into the Protocol on the Accession of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and associated side-letters, and the inquiry into Amendments to Appendices I, II and III of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

Committee Chair Mr Josh Wilson MP said of CPTPP, “Significantly, the United Kingdom would be the first non-founding country to join CPTPP since it was signed by 11 countries in 2018, and its accession would expand the trade partnership beyond the Pacific region.

"The United Kingdom’s accession to the CPTPP is expected to build upon the recent Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (A-UKFTA) in terms of goods and services and provide additional strategic benefits for Australia. The Committee will examine these potential benefits.”

On the CITES treaty, Mr Wilson said, “The amendments add new species to the list of flora and fauna for which international trade is prohibited or monitored. The committee will seek to understand how the new listings support Australia’s strong commitment to effective regulation of the international trade in wildlife and conservation of threatened species.”

Public hearing details

Date:Tuesday, 18 June 2024
Time: 12pm to 1.20pm approximately
Location: Committee Room 2R2

The hearing can be accessed online and the program for this hearing is available on the Committee website, along with further information about the inquiry. 

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THE 2024 edition of the national My First Speech competition for year 10, 11 and 12 students opened today and is now accepting submissions.

The competition asks students to write and record a 90-second speech on a topic they are passionate about as if they are making their first speech in the House of Representatives. A winner from each year group is selected and flown to Canberra with a parent or guardian where they deliver their speech at Parliament House. Winners will also meet MPs, tour Parliament House, and learn more about the democratic process.

A panel of judges, which includes Members and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Milton Dick MP, will choose the winner from each year group.

“I am so pleased to see this great competition return for another year. Last year we had a record number of entries, and the competition was strong.” Speaker Milton Dick said.

“Not only is this competition a fundamental part of engaging our young Australians in democracy, but it also gives us a glimpse into the issues that are important to them.”

Entries close at 5pm (AEST) on 27 July 2024. More details can be found on the My First Speech website at: aph.gov.au/myfirstspeech.

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