TOMORROW, March 1, the Defence Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will conduct its second public hearing into the Department of Defence Annual Report 2022–23.

The subcommittee will hear evidence from the Department of Defence, government departments, non-government organisations and the Australian public across the inquiry’s focus items:

• Assistance to Ukraine
• Defence Health System
• Capability assurance mechanism
• Artificial intelligence and autonomous weapons related issues, and
• Armaments manufacture, procurement and inventory.

Chair of the subcommittee, Julian Hill MP said, “Parliamentary committees are an important mechanism parliament uses to keep a check on government activities and government departments and to hear from experts and public interest groups.

“This year’s inquiry is focussing on immediate priorities such as assistance to Ukraine, the Defence Health System, capability assurance, and armaments manufacture and procurement in a rapidly changing strategic environment. In addition, the inquiry will examine the potential benefits, risks and concerns of transformative technologies such as artificial intelligence and autonomous weapons and their role in future conflict.”

Further information is available on the inquiry webpage with the hearing broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

Public hearing details

Friday, 1 March 2024, 8:30am – 3pm (AEDT)
Committee Room 1R1, Parliament House, Canberra

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THE Australian Parliament’s Agriculture Committee has today commenced an inquiry into the role of Australian agriculture in Southeast Asian markets and is calling for submissions from interested stakeholders.

Committee Chair, Meryl Swanson MP, said the Australian Government had prioritised a deepening engagement with Southeast Asia, and noted from the recently released Invested: Australia’s Southeast Economic Strategy to 2040 that Southeast Asia was at the centre of global growth and remained a development and economic success story.

"Agriculture plays a critical role in sustaining the region’s economic growth," Ms Swanson said. "With its continuing population growth, rapid urbanisation, rising incomes and increasing food security requirements, Southeast Asia is one of the fastest growing markets for Australian agricultural exports."

The committee will examine the role of Australian agriculture in Southeast Asian markets in the context of the recommendations in the economic strategy. It will focus on how Australian agriculture can support Southeast Asia’s food security, improving market access and trade systems, and building capability in the region to improve agricultural sustainability, technology and innovation.

The committee is also interested in identifying new mechanisms and emerging opportunities and challenges for Australian agriculture to address key priorities in the Southeast Asia region.

"The strategy identified agriculture and food as one of the ten key sectors offering the most potential for greater commercial activity between Australia and Southeast Asia," Ms Swanson said.

Submissions to the inquiry will be open until May 31, 2024. Further information, including the Terms of Reference can be found on the Committee’s website.

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A PUBLIC HEARING will be held on Friday, March 1, at Parliament House in Canberra as part of the House Health Committee’s inquiry into diabetes.

The Department of Health and Aged Care will give evidence about the Australian Government’s work on addressing diabetes and obesity. The committee will also hear evidence from the Department of Education about the role of the Australian Curriculum in supporting young Australians to develop healthy habits and skills, and Jess Hart, who lives with type 1 diabetes, about her experiences travelling with diabetes devices.

Chair of the Committee, Mike Freelander MP, said, "Throughout the inquiry, the committee has heard about different ways to improve the way we prevent, diagnose and manage diabetes and obesity in Australia. We will explore these ideas in more detail with the Department of Health and Aged Care at our public hearing on Friday."

Deputy Chair of the Committee, Melissa McIntosh MP, said, "We are looking forward to hearing from the Department of Education about ways that the Australian Curriculum can positively influence the health and wellbeing of young people and help them to develop life-long healthy habits."

The committee intends to hold further public hearings throughout March 2024. Details and dates for further public hearings will be available on the Committee’s website as they are announced.

Public hearing

Date: Friday, 1 March 2024
Time: 8.45am – 12.30pm AEDT (Canberra time)
Location: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra

A program for the public hearing is available on the inquiry website. A live audio stream of the hearing will also be available on the APH website.

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THE Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories will examine the importance of Antarctica to Australia’s national interest in a new inquiry launched today.

Committee Chair, Alicia Payne MP, said, “Australia has a proud history as an Antarctic leader. The Australian Antarctic Territory covers approximately 42 percent of the continent and Australia plays a significant role in maintaining the continent for peace, scientific exploration, and environmental protection.

“Australia’s ongoing and future commitments in Antarctica are now more important than ever. Australia has a responsibility to itself and the international community to remain a strong advocate for Antarctica through its domestic and international policy.

“Our need to keep pace with technological and scientific advancements as well as ensure the protection of the region and its biodiversity will be a key focus of this inquiry.

"We will also be examining Australia’s role in upholding the Antarctic Treaty System and how Antarctica contributes to Australia’s economic and social development,” Ms Payne said.

The committee is welcoming submissions from interested individuals and organisations by April 12, 2024. Further information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and how to contribute, is available on the committee’s website.

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