THE Joint Standing Committee on Trade and Investment Growth has launched an inquiry into the approach adopted by the Australian Government when negotiating trade and investment agreements.

The inquiry will focus on how the Australian Government develops a negotiating mandate and framework that reflects whole of government priorities, as well as priorities for State and Territory Governments, businesses and workers, including processes for consultation. It will also consider how to ensure agreements advance Australia’s national and cultural interests, and that First Nations Australians can participate and benefit in trade.

Committee Chair, Steve Georganas MP said, “Trade agreements serve an important role in creating well-paid, secure jobs, improving our economic resilience and increasing the living standards for Australians.

“The committee wants to hear from businesses, workers, industry associations and other interested parties from across the community to understand how the approach taken to negotiating trade and investment agreements could be improved to ensure these agreements are of greatest benefit to the Australian community.”

The  committee is seeking submissions from interested individuals, businesses and organisations on the inquiry’s terms of reference by Friday, September 22, 2023.

Further information about the inquiry, including published submissions and hearing transcripts, will be available on the inquiry webpage.

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JOB MATCHING platform SEEK, the Business Council of Australia, academic and policy experts, and members of the youth advocacy and entrepreneurship sectors will appear before the Select Committee on Workforce Australia Employment Services at a public hearing in Canberra on Friday, August 11.

The hearing will focus on how the employment services system should support and work with employers, entrepreneurs, and younger people.

Committee Chair, Julian Hill MP, said, “Employment services have failed to meet the needs of employers. Nowhere is this clearer than in the fact that while employers across Australia are crying out for staff, there are now more long-term unemployed people than before the pandemic.

“Mounting evidence suggests the system has a distorted and perverted focus on supply, and not enough on demand. Or in plain English, case managers are too tied up policing unemployed people without enough focus on working with employers and matching people to actual jobs.

“The committee is all ears, keen to hear ideas for reforms to Australia’s employment services system which could boost demand-led solutions, facilitating more effective workforce planning, recruitment, and lasting employment outcomes.

“We are also interested to listen and learn more about SEEK’s submission—which suggests government is unnecessarily duplicating services—and SEEK’s proposal for change.

“Youth specialist services are important and any reforms must consider the unique needs of younger jobseekers and how they engage with services.”

Further information about the inquiry, including Terms of Reference, future public hearings, published submissions and hearing transcripts, is available on the inquiry website.

Public hearing details

Date                11 August 2023
Time               12.45pm – 5.00pm
Location       Committee Room 2S1, Parliament House, Canberra           
Witnesses   SEEK Ltd
                           Dr Ann Nevile
                           Business Council of Australia
                           Australian Entrepreneurs Alliance
                           Paul Ramsay Foundation
                           Australian Youth Affairs Coalition

A live audio broadcast of the hearing will be available via the Parliament’s Watch, Read, Listen website.

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water will hold a public hearing for its inquiry into plastic pollution in Australia’s oceans and waterways in Canberra on Friday, August 11.

The hearing on Friday will hear from representatives from the retail and manufacturing sectors, not-for-profit sectors and the government. The evidence will build on evidence previously heard by the committee when it held hearings and inspected a range of sites around Australia in late June.

Chair of the Committee, Tony Zappia MP said, "The committee looks forward to hearing from groups such as the Australian Food and Grocery Council, the Australian Retailers Association and the Australian Beverage Council, who will be able to provide a design and manufacturing perspective on plastic pollution.

“The committee is concerned to hear that Australia is expected to increase its level of plastic consumption, and groups such as WWF Australia and the Australian Marine Conservation Society have provided a range of recommendations which the committee will explore in more detail at the hearing.” Mr Zappia said. 

The program for Friday’s hearing is:

Interested parties can view or listen to the proceedings on the Parliament of Australia website.

Further information about the committee’s inquiry, including terms of reference and submissions received is available on its website.

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A PARLIAMENTARY committee inquiring into the operation of the National Redress Scheme is continuing to look closely into a range of areaS. These include: The experience of First Nations applicants and applicants with disability in their dealings with the Scheme; and accessibility, performance and effectiveness of support services and legal advice for survivors and their advocates.

While the committee inquiry continues to explore the issues raised, examples of matters brought to the Committee’s attention include:

• Barriers and complications experienced when accessing the scheme, such as with language, communication and cultural safety.
• The need for increased resources for redress legal services and counselling support services to better meet demand and reduce long waiting periods.
• Concerns regarding delays processing applications, the consistency of redress outcomes and the transparency of decisions.

About the inquiry

Full details of what the inquiry is examining can be found in the terms of reference on the committee’s website. An easy English guide to making a submission is also available.

Senator Catryna Bilyk, Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Implementation of the National Redress Scheme, said, "The committee has received important evidence to date, and we thank those people who have come forward to share with us this valuable information. We are committed to continuing our inquiry into any issues that people wish to raise about the operation of the National Redress Scheme."

The National Redress Scheme was established in response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The committee’s role is to oversee implementation of the Royal Commission’s redress-related recommendations.

More information about the inquiry is available on the Committee’s webpage.

Submissions

The committee started the inquiry and called for submissions in December 2022.

The committee has received around 31 submissions. While submissions were encouraged by February 27, 2023, the committee is continuing to consider new submissions.

Those who would like to make a submission, or find out more, can email the Committee Secretariat at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

A discussion paper aims to provide guidance to individuals and organisations interested in making submissions to the inquiry.

Public hearings

The committee has held three public hearings.

The inquiry has heard from a range of organisations that offer advice and support to anyone seeking redress, including many National Redress Scheme Support Services.

The Department of Social Services has given evidence about their role in administering the scheme.

Transcripts of public hearings can be viewed here.

Senator Bilyk said, "The committee has heard compelling evidence about the experiences of victims and survivors. Drawing on the evidence received during this inquiry, the committee is looking to identify possible recommendations to improve the Redress Scheme.

"We would like to hear a range of perspectives. Further public hearings are planned to hear from more witnesses."

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