THE House Committee on Tax and Revenue has resolved to commence its annual review of the Commissioner of Taxation’s Annual Report 2016–17.

As Australia’s principal revenue collection body, the annual report is a key mechanism for the ATO’s accountability to the Government and the Australian community. The 2017 annual report was tabled in Parliament in October in accordance with section 46 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013. 

Chair of the Committee Mr Kevin Hogan MP observed that the Committee’s annual report review process has broadened in scope since the formation of the Committee in May 2013 and, accordingly, is now being conducted once a year instead of biannually.

“The Committee’s examination of the ATO report not only enables Members to monitor technical advances under the agency’s Reinvention Program but also to probe more challenging aspects of other ATO operations, both internal and external,” Mr Hogan said.

“The Committee’s inquiry may cover, for example, the ATO’s fraud control management in the wake of Operation Elbrus, the administration of the Australian Business Register and business debt, and the results of the ongoing audit of cash dominant industries.”

To facilitate optimum feedback on the ATO’s administration of these and other matters discussed in the Annual Report, the Committee invites submissions to be lodged by 2 March 2018.

Public hearings for the inquiry will be held with the Commissioner of Taxation and the Inspector-General of Taxation, and with tax advisory bodies, other stakeholders and members of the public in early 2018.

The 2017 Annual Report of the Australian Taxation Office is available at: https://www.ato.gov.au/About-ATO/Annual-report-2016-17/

Interested members of the public may wish to track the committee via the website. 

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THE Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works yesterday announced that it is inquiring into a proposal from the Department of Defence for the replacement aviation refuelling vehicles infrastructure.

The JP157 infrastructure project will deliver new and upgraded facilities to support the replacement and future aviation refuelling fleets. The Department of Defence proposes to undertake a range of works across 15 sites ranging from bunding works, fuel treatment system works, shelters, hardstand and access works, fencing and contamination works as required.

The estimated cost of the project is $40.4 million.

It is anticipated that the Committee will conduct public and in-camera hearings for the inquiry in January/February 2018. Further information on the public hearing will be available soon.

Full details on the project are available on the Committee’s website: www.aph.gov.au/pwc

The Committee would like to hear from all individuals or organisations interested in the inquiry.

Submissions will be accepted until 25 January 2018.

NB: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works is neither involved in the tendering process nor the awarding of contracts. Enquiries on those matters should be addressed to the Department of Defence.

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HOW innovation can free our oceans from plastics, make our food more secure and lead to better energy solutions will be on the agenda at RMIT University  next Monday.

Practitioners and experts from around the globe will gather for the 2017 Asia-Pacific Summit for ISPIM – the International Society for Professional Innovation Management.

Speakers will unpack a range of topics including the blue economy and how our oceans can unlock the planet’s potential; big data and artificial intelligence; future energy infrastructure; and fintech.

“Wicked problems” like plastics in the ocean, food agility, and ‘flirt 2.0’, or how to unleash innovation in the era of digital disruption, will also be tackled.  

The 2017 summit brings together global innovation leaders and showcases Melbourne’s best-practice innovation.

The three-day event is hosted by RMIT’s Global Business Innovation Enabling Capability Platform.

The conference will include an address by the Hon Frank McGuire MP – Parliamentary Secretary for Medical Research and Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business an Innovation in the Parliament of Victoria.


A full program and speaker details are available at:
https://www.ispim-innovation-summit.com/

WHAT: 2017 ISPIM Innovation Summit 

WHEN: 9am Monday 10am to 3pm Wednesday 13 December

WHERE:  Swanston Academic Building (Building 80), RMIT University, 445 Swanston St,Melbourne.

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THE Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works yesterday announced that it is inquiring into a proposal from the Department of Defence for the Engine Test Cell 1 Upgrade at RAAF Base Amberley.

The purpose of this project is to establish a fit-for-purpose engine test facility that satisfies both the ongoing Super Hornet and Growler and the new F-35 engine testing needs. The engine test facility at RAAF Base Amberley is Australia’s largest fast jet engine test facility and this project will extend the existing functionality to enable efficient kitting and testing of the Super Hornet, Growler and F-35 engines.

The estimated cost of the project is $23.7 million.

It is anticipated that the Committee will conduct public and in-camera hearings for the inquiry in January/February. Further information on the public hearing will be available soon.

Full details on the project are available on the Committee’s website: www.aph.gov.au/pwc

The Committee would like to hear from all individuals or organisations interested in the inquiry.

Submissions will be accepted until 25 January 2018.

NB: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works is neither involved in the tendering process nor the awarding of contracts. Enquiries on those matters should be addressed to the Department of Defence.

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