THE Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Bill 2016 proposes to establish the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility which would provide up to $5 billion in concessional financial assistance to infrastructure projects that promote the economic development of Northern Australia.

The Facility is designed to supplement State and Territory Government and private sector investment and to target projects that would be significantly delayed, or not be built, without financial assistance from the Commonwealth.

A copy of the Bill is available at:
http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5631

Written submissions are being invited from interested individuals and organisations to be received by 5pm Thursday, March 31, 2016. Guidance on preparing a submission is available on the Committee’s website at www.aph.gov.au/jscna.

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THE Parliamentary Trade and Investment Growth Committee will conclude it public hearings in Canberra on Thursday, 17 March 2016 as part of the Inquiry into Australia’s Future in Research and Innovation.

The Committee is investigating how the research and innovation sector can better assist in overcoming Australia’s geographic, economic, and labour challenges, with a focus on commercialisation including, how technology imports and exports could be further facilitated.

The hearing will focus on university education and medical research, and intellectual property protection with the appearance of university peak bodies: Universities Australia, Group of Eight Australia, and Rural Universities Network, followed by the National Health and Medical Research Council, and IP Australia.

The Chair of the Committee, Mr Ken O’Dowd MP said, "There should be a seamless progression from research-generated innovation through to intellectual property protection and commercialisation benefiting the wider Australian community.”

“Universities have an important role in creating people skilled in science, technology, engineering and mathematics who are needed to create and develop the innovative ideas necessary to drive a modern economy.”

“Australia excels in medical research and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is a key funding agency. Much of the innovation generated through those NHMRC grants may need intellectual property protection so that the organisations and companies undertaking the research can retain the full benefits generated through their efforts,” Mr O’Dowd said.

Date: Thursday 17 March 2016, 9.00 am – 10.30 am.
Location: Committee Room 1R6, Parliament House, Canberra.

More information is available at: www.aph.gov.au/ResearchandInnovation

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AN OUTSTANDING group of young agricultural scientists and economists, representing six countries across the Indo-Pacific region, met today with the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade’s Foreign Affairs and Aid Sub-Committee in Canberra.

As part of its inquiry into the role of development partnerships in agriculture and agribusiness in promoting prosperity, reducing poverty and enhancing stability in the Indo‑Pacific region, the Sub-Committee heard from the ten recipients of the 2016 John Dillon Memorial Fellowships.

Sub-Committee Chair the Hon Dr Sharman Stone MP said that the Fellowships are provided by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) as part of the Australia Awards and recognise the late Professor John Dillon, who was one of Australia's leading agricultural economists and a strong advocate of international agricultural research and collaboration.

“As part of a six-week leadership development program, the Fellows will draw on Australia’s experience in agricultural research management, agricultural policy and extension technologies, and take the lessons they’ve learnt back to their home countries,” Dr Stone said.

“I am delighted the Sub-Committee had an opportunity to speak to these talented agricultural research experts from across our region, to tap into their own views on key development challenges facing their countries and how Australian aid can be delivered more effectively to meet these challenges.”

Dr Stone also said that it was particularly pleasing to see that four of this year’s Fellows are women given that, while agricultural research has traditionally been a male-dominated field, the growing of food globally is largely in the hands of women. 

“The Sub-Committee appreciated hearing their unique perspectives and insights into gender issues in their home countries, especially on addressing existing barriers to women’s proper pay and entitlements to land in the agriculture sector,” Dr Stone said.

The 2016 John Dillon Fellows come from Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea and Vietnam.  Their program includes opportunities to connect with Australians working in similar fields, with visits to agricultural industries and research collaborators also in Tasmania and the Northern Territory.

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts will hear from the Department of Communications and the Arts and the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) at a hearing in Canberra for its inquiry into broadcasting, online content and live production to rural and regional Australia.

Committee Chairman, the Hon Bronwyn Bishop MP, said the Committee has heard from a range of media and arts groups at its recent hearings, and now looks forward to receiving evidence from these key government agencies about their important policy, funding and regulatory roles.

“The Department of Communications and the Arts plays an important role in policy setting, and providing funding for public broadcasters and subsidies for the arts,” Mrs Bishop said.

“ACMA, which is responsible for the regulation of broadcasting, the internet, radio communications and telecommunications, will appear with the Department to provide information on broadcasting to rural and regional Australia. In its 2013 investigation into local content, ACMA found that local content is important and valued by regional Australians.”

Public hearing details:
Date: Tuesday, 15 March 2016
Time: 3.40pm to 5.00pm
Location: Committee Room 1R2, Parliament House, Canberra
Live webcast (audio only)

For further background information on the inquiry and Committee, please visit the Committee website www.aph.gov.au/communications 

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