THE Joint Standing Committee on Trade and Investment Growth has released its report on Australia's transition to a green energy superpower, which examined how Australia can build on its strengths and opportunities to become a leading destination for trade and investment in the future global green economy.

Chair of the Committee, Steve Georganas MP, said, "Throughout the inquiry the committee heard about the vast range of current and emerging opportunities for Australia, capitalising on our unique strengths and comparative advantages to develop new export-led industries, driving economic growth and creating jobs.

"Australia is well-placed to benefit from the global green energy transition and is well on its way to becoming a green energy superpower. The 16 recommendations made by the committee in this report aim to ensure that we are doing everything possible to strengthen the transition and to maximise Australia’s potential in the global green economy."

Recommendations made by the committee focussed on the role for the Australian Government to accelerate Australia’s opportunities and address challenges, including:

• Leveraging Australia’s existing trade and investment architecture to maximise opportunities in the global green economy;
• Supporting value-added manufacturing and export opportunities;
• Developing a national green energy superpower strategy;
• Aligning trade and investment promotion and awareness building functions with Australia’s green energy superpower ambitions; and
• Enhancing sovereign manufacturing capability in industries subject to supply chain constraints.

Over the course of the inquiry, the committee held 10 public hearings in Canberra, Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Gladstone, in addition to receiving over 120 written submissions from individuals, organisations and government bodies.

The committee thanked people and organisations who took part in the inquiry by providing written submissions, giving evidence at public hearings or hosting the committee for site visits.

The full report can be found on the committee’s ​inquiry webpage.

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ON OCTOBER 11, the International Day of the Girl Child, Sustainable Population Australia (SPA) has called for a universal concept of ‘let a girl be a girl until they reach full maturity'.

According to THE UN Population Fund (UNFPA), more than 640 million women alive today were married in childhood. In the developing world, nearly one in three women begin bearing children in adolescence. Twelve million adolescents give birth each year.

SPA national president Jenny Goldie said girls were not commodities that can be married off at an early age for the benefit of their families, even in cases of extreme poverty.

“Girls should have the same rights as boys,” Ms Goldie said. “They should be allowed equal nutrition, equal access to health services, equal education, and equal opportunity; in short, equal rights. They should be allowed to marry when they choose to do so.

“Adolescent girls should have comprehensive sexuality education and access to contraception to ensure they have control over their own bodies. Not only should they decide when they are ready to marry, but if and when they will bear children.

“If they are to have equal education and equal opportunities in the workforce, they should delay pregnancy until they are educated. Educated women have fewer children and the reduction in birth-rates will, in turn, reduce pressures on resources and the environment, making life better for all.”

The theme for the 2023 International Day of the Girl is 'Digital generation. Our generation'.

"Girls face disadvantages online,” Ms Goldie said. "2.2 billion people under the age of 25 do not have internet access, with the majority being girls.

“Access to the internet has enormous educational benefits, although it is not without its challenges, especially for girls and their use of social media. Nevertheless, it is undoubtedly a ‘net’ good, providing opportunity for communications with other young people that might otherwise be impossible. It is not difficult to imagine what it might offer the young women of Afghanistan who are otherwise denied access to education and regular social interaction with peers.

“It is important that we allow our daughters and granddaughters to enjoy life as children and adolescents. It is the critical first step towards a healthy and successful adulthood and the fulfilment of enormous potential that lies within each.”

www.population.org.au

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THE façade of Australian Parliament House will be illuminated this evening in blue and white, the colours of the Israeli flag.

This is in line with the other significant buildings and monuments across the country, a government spokesperson said,

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THE Trade Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will hold a public hearing in Port Campbell today for its inquiry into Australia’s tourism and international education sectors, with an additional public hearing to be held tomorrow in Ballarat.

The subcommittee will hear evidence from a range of stakeholders in regional Victoria’s tourism industry, including First Nations corporations, regional tourism organisations, small businesses and heritage tourism operators.

Chair of the Trade Subcommittee, Senator Deborah O’Neill, said, "The Great Ocean Road continues to be an iconic tourist destination in regional Victoria and the subcommittee is looking forward to gaining insights into what can be done to further encourage overseas visitors into this region. In travelling to Ballarat, the subcommittee will better understand how heritage tourism in places like the Goldfields and the Sovereign Hill Living Museum may be an untapped opportunity for Australia.

"In its quest to better understand the unique tourism experiences offered across Australia, the subcommittee is interested to hear different perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing operators in this part of regional Australia," Senator O’Neill said. "We also look forward to continuing our discussions about the connections between tourism and international education, and the role of international students in the operations of universities in regional Australia."

Further information about the inquiry and programs for both hearings are available on the inquiry webpage.

Public hearing – Port Campbell

Date: Tuesday, 3 October 2023
Venue: Sunset Room, Port Campbell Lifesaving Club, 1 Cairns St, Port Campbell, VIC
Time: 9am – 12pm (AEDT)

Public hearing – Ballarat

Date: Wednesday, 4 October 2023
Venue: Federation University, SMB Campus Rooms A211 and A214, Building A, Lydiard Street, Ballarat
Time: 9:20am – 2pm (AEDT).

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