THE Australian Workers’ Union has strongly endorsed the passing of the Future Made in Australia (Production Tax Credits and Other Measures) Bill 2024, describing it as a historic step that positions Australia to become a global leader in new energy and advanced manufacturing.

The bill establishes production tax credits that will catalyse private investment at the speed and scale required to develop green hydrogen and critical minerals industries in Australia. 

AWU national secretary Paul Farrow said the legislation would help unlock the nation’s immense potential in critical minerals processing and green hydrogen production — industries that will be critical to Australia’s economic and strategic future.

“Australia’s approach to critical minerals and new energy has been constrained by a ‘dig and ship’ mentality, and this bill tips that on its head," Mr Farrow said. 

"This bill finally provides what industry has been crying out for: investment certainty to move beyond raw exports and build up our domestic processing and manufacturing capabilities. It will create thousands of high-quality jobs, particularly in regional Australia, and ensure future generations of Australian workers benefit from the global industrial shift.

“If this bill is successful in paving the way to reliable, large-scale green hydrogen supply that would be a game-changer for the nation because it would unlock green steel and green aluminium which would be transformative for the Australian economy.

“The ‘community benefit rules’ embedded in this legislation are critical, because they ensure the jobs created will be high-quality positions with good pay and secure conditions. Unlike the approach taken in the past, this bill ensures Australian workers and their communities will share fairly in the gains of Australia’s industrial transition.”

The AWU has been a long-time advocate for securing Australia’s sovereign industrial capability, warning that the concentration of global supply chains— particularly in China — poses a strategic risk for the nation.

"Australia has the whip hand here and this Bill allows us to crack it,“ Mr Farrow said.

"It will help Australia build resilience and safeguard against the risk of being cut out of critical supply chains. Australia has some of the world’s richest reserves of critical minerals, yet we’ve allowed overseas interests to dominate refining and processing. This legislation will reverse that trend and keep more value—and more jobs—onshore.”

Mr Farrow criticised the Coalition’s decision to vote against the legislation, calling it a betrayal of Australia’s industrial future.

“The Coalition's decision to vote against this bill speaks volumes. It's entirely in line with their broader hostility to Australian workers and their industries,” he said.

“At a time when the world is racing ahead in clean energy and critical minerals investment, the Coalition would rather Australia sit on the sidelines. They would apparently rather see Australian jobs go offshore than support the policies needed to develop world-leading industries here.”

Mr Farrow said the AWU would continue working to ensure the implementation of the bill delivers for Australian workers.

“The passing of this bill is a major step forward, but we need to make sure it’s implemented in a way that maximises Australian jobs and industrial development. The AWU will be holding government and industry to account on that."

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will hold a public hearing today for its inquiry into the Convention between Australia and the Portuguese Republic for the Elimination of Double Taxation with respect to Taxes on Income and the Prevention of Tax Evasion and Avoidance.

The convention adds to Australia’s existing tax treaty network and is the first of its kind to be agreed to by Australia and Portugal. The convention promotes closer economic cooperation between the two countries through the reduction of taxation barriers, for example the double taxation of income derived by the residents of either country.

The convention also improves the tax system through providing a framework for cooperation on tax administration which prevents tax avoidance and evasion. 

Committee Chair, Lisa Chesters MP, said, "The committee will investigate if this agreement strengthens the relationship between Australia and Portugal and contributes towards stronger ties, particularly in commercial trade and investment.

"The committee will explore if the convention encourages increased cross-border trade and investment through the reduction in tax barriers that hinder investment. The committee will also examine if the Convention will provide tax certainty for Australian businesses that are looking to expand their operations into Portugal," Ms Chesters said.

The committee will hear evidence from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Australian Taxation Office, and the Department of the Treasury at the public hearing.

Public hearing details

Date: Monday 10 February 2025
Time: 11.30am-1pm (approximately)
Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra

More information about the Committee and its inquiry can be found on the Committee’s website.

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

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RECOMMENDATIONS for strengthened and standardised civics education for Australian students have been made by the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters in its report, From Classroom to Community: Civics education and political participation in Australia.

Committee Chair, Senator Carol Brown said, "Australia’s system of compulsory voting means that all Australians need to be informed to participate in our democracy and elections. This is particularly important at a time where democracies around the world, including Australia, are facing rising disengagement, distrust, and misinformation and disinformation in a complex online information environment.

"The committee heard clear evidence that the quality of formal civics education varies considerably between the states and territories, and even individual schools – which means that many young people are not getting the information they need to be informed and responsible citizens. It is clear that Australia needs a strengthened and standardised approach to civics and citizenship education."

The report makes 23 recommendations, informed by the people most affected by the topics considered. Key recommendations include:

• nationally aligned and mandated civics and citizenship content in the Australian Curriculum and better support for teachers through high-quality professional development;
• resourcing to allow more students to visit Canberra or access digital learning experiences;
• strengthening access to civics education for adults, including working with trusted grassroots community organisations and community leaders to provide culturally appropriate voter education opportunities and materials;
• creating meaningful opportunities for diverse young people to have their say on formal policies and processes;
• prioritising media and digital literacy in the Australian Curriculum and working with community organisations to deliver media and digital literacy training for vulnerable populations;
• resourcing for factual, translated resources to counteract disinformation;
• advancing research on media consumption patterns and recommender systems on social media.

Further information about the inquiry, including submissions and public hearing transcripts, is available on the inquiry webpage.

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THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has presented its annual review of the administration and expenditure of six Australian intelligence agencies for the 2022-23 financial year.

The review found that amidst a changing strategic environment, Australia’s intelligence agencies continue to work effectively and responsibly to protect Australia’s national security.

"The committee is satisfied that the agencies are administering outcomes and outputs effectively, and managing expenditure appropriately to achieve value-for-money outcomes for the Australian taxpayer," Committee Chair, Senator Raff Ciccone said.

The committee reported on a number of focus areas in its 2022-23 review including artificial intelligence and machine learning, staff recruitment and support, and the use of external contractors.

Senator Ciccone said, "The agencies provided detailed and useful information in relation to artificial intelligence and machine learning, reassuring the committee that they are carefully thinking about and planning for the appropriate use of these complex technological tools."

"The committee is pleased with the level of use of contractors by the intelligence agencies and encourages agencies to continue their endeavours and their transparency in this regard. The committee supported efforts by some agencies to review and rationalise their use of external consultants."

The committee’s review covers the administration and expenditure in the 2022-23 financial year of six of the 10 agencies that form Australia’s National Intelligence Community: the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS), the Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation (AGO), the Defence Intelligence Organisation (DIO), the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) and the Office of National Intelligence (ONI).

The committee’s report can be found on its webpage here: Review of Administration and Expenditure No. 22 (2022–23) – Australian Intelligence Agencies – Parliament of Australia.

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