The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) will commence its process of examining the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) on behalf of the Parliament at a public hearing on Monday in Canberra.

Acting Chair of JSCOT, the Hon Kelvin Thomson MP, said the TPP has been promoted as the world’s most significant trade and investment agreement, with the signatories making up 40 per cent of the world’s GDP, and needed to be considered carefully.

“The TPP is comprehensive and complex, involving 12 countries and covering a wide range of areas from labour mobility to pharmaceutical patents,” Mr Thomson said.

“The Committee will be taking a thorough look at the TPP to make sure it is in the best interests of Australians and will provide its recommendations as to whether or not we should take binding treaty action.”

Mr Thomson said JSCOT will be conducting a comprehensive consultation process, with the first hearing allowing the Australian Government to present the case for the ratification of the TPP.

“Once this first hearing is complete, it is expected that JSCOT will travel to State capitals and regional Australia to ensure we have a diverse range of views before reporting to the Parliament.” he said.

Public Hearing Details:
Time: 11.10AM – 1.00PM
Date: Monday, 22 February 2016
Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra
Live Webcast (Audio only)

Further information, as well as details for those wishing to make a submission in to the inquiry on the TPP, can be found on the JSCOT website. All submissions are due by Friday, 11 March 2016.

Alternatively, interested parties may email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone (02) 6277 4002.

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THE Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has welcomed the release of Infrastructure Australia’s Australian Infrastructure Plan.

“The plan presents a forthright, evidence based, non-political assessment of challenges in the Australian infrastructure landscape and required reforms to address those challenges,” said Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chief Executive Mark Stone.

“It is important that Infrastructure Australia’s findings are carefully considered and actioned by governments and are not politicised.”

Infrastructure Australia has identified and prioritised a number of specific Victorian projects that must be progressed by governments, including:

• The Metropolitan Ring Road from Greensborough to the Eastern Freeway
• Melbourne Metro Rail
• A road connection between the West Gate Freeway and the Port of Melbourne
• Improved public transport to Melbourne Airport

“Many of the Victorian projects on Infrastructure Australia’s priority list are closely aligned with the priorities of the Victorian Chamber and represent a clear pathway for future Victorian infrastructure investment.”

"The Victorian Chamber hopes that Infrastructure Australia will work in close partnership with the newly established Infrastructure Victoria and the Victorian Government to drive the continued investment that is needed to meet Victoria’s future infrastructure needs."

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, established in 1851, is the most influential business organisation in Victoria, informing and servicing more than 15,000 members, customers and clients around the state.

victorianchamber.com.au  

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THE House of Representatives Agriculture and Industry Committee will conduct a public hearing on Monday for the inquiry into agricultural innovation.

Appearing at the hearing will be representatives from the Australian Controlled Traffic Farming Association, Southern Farming Systems, GrainGrowers, CropLife and the Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre.

Committee Chair, Rowan Ramsey MP, said “Industry groups have a vital role to play in supporting the development and adoption of agricultural innovation in Australia.  There is a range of industry groups with much to contribute to this discussion about the future of Australian agriculture. The Committee looks forward to hearing more about the potential for our industry groups to support agricultural innovation.”

The hearing will be held in Committee Room 1R1, Parliament House, Canberra:
Monday, 22 February 2016
4:00PM (approx.) - Australian Controlled Traffic Farming Association (Submissions 47 and 61) and Southern Farming Systems (Submission 61)
4:30PM (approx.) - GrainGrowers (Submission 82)
5:00PM (approx.) - CropLife Australia (Submission 50)
5:30PM (approx.) - Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre (Submission 36)
6:00PM (approx.) - Close

The public hearing will be webcast live at: http://www.aph.gov.au/News_and_Events/Watch_Parliament

Further details about the inquiry, including submissions received and the terms of reference, can be obtained from the Committee’s website at: www.aph.gov.au/agind.

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QUEENSLAND Resources Council (QRC) has welcomed the announcement by Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Dr Anthony Lynham, to reduce by up to 50 percent, the expenditure that explorers are required to make under their minerals exploration permits.

"This initiative will provide much needed relief to mineral explorers across the state in places like Cape York, Mount Isa and operations west of Townsville and Cairns," QRC chief executive Michael Roche said.

"This is an example of how government can partner with industry to provide incentive and some breathing space in tough times without providing a handout or subsidies. QRC also welcomes the fact that the Minister is investigating  extending this policy to coal explorers whose circumstances  are really no different to that of mineral explorers.

"We look forward to having the opportunity to discuss with the Premier and the Cabinet Jobs Committee, a wider partnership plan to provide breathing space for the resources sector or, as the Minister told the Parliament today: 'Giving time for the market to recover'.

"As QRC foreshadowed last week, jobs losses are an inevitable fact of the current severe cyclical downturn in commodity prices but there are areas where Government can partner with industry to alleviate the costs of doing business in Queensland to ensure we remain globally competitive and investment in existing and new projects continues," Mr Roche said.

"The Minister is correct that there is still a lot of interest in resource assets in Queensland. The decision by Anglo American to offer more of its Queensland coal assets for sale is based on a company strategy of repairing its balance sheet and we have no doubt those assets will find new owners.

www.qrc.org.au

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