ON JUNE 13, the Defence Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will conduct its third public hearing in support of its inquiry into the Department of Defence Annual Report 2021–22.

The Subcommittee will hear evidence from an academic panel as well as the Department of Defence on the inquiry’s third focus item: Support to domestic crisis.

Chair of the Subcommittee, Julian Hill MP, said, "In recent years Defence has been used increasingly as part of national responses to domestic crises. Recent examples include support to the COVID-19 pandemic, and numerous floods and bushfire events.

“The Subcommittee will hear how this seemingly near persistent requirement is impacting the organisation from a preparation, training, and capability perspective, as well as reviewing current policy and approaches to resourcing.

“Leading experts and senior Defence representatives will publicly share their views on this important matter which will also provide useful context as respective authors consider the 2024 National Defence Strategy.”

Further information is available on the inquiry webpage.

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water has tabled its report on the inquiry into the 2009 and 2013 amendments to the 1996 Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972 (London Protocol).

The committee considered the two amendments to the London Protocol. The 2009 amendment permits the export of carbon dioxide streams for carbon capture and storage between countries who have signed up to the London Protocol.

The 2013 amendment proposes to regulate marine geoengineering activities, such as ocean fertilisation and other activities in the future.

Committee Chair, Tony Zappia MP said, "The evidence received by the committee from government, industry and community groups provided the committee with a perspective on how they could be implemented. The committee subsequently recommended that the Australian Government ratify both instruments."

The report can be downloaded from the committee’s website.

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DEPARTMENT of Home Affairs boss, Michael Pezzullo AO, will front the Joint Standing Committee on Migration on Wednesday, June 14, to provide evidence to the committee’s Migration, Pathway to Nation Building inquiry.

This will be the seventh public hearing for the inquiry and the first time the department appears.

Committee Chair, Maria Vamvakinou MP, said, "Over the course of the inquiry, the committee has heard from all sorts of people and organisations on what’s wrong with the current migration system and how it could be improved.

‘This hearing will be the perfect opportunity for the committee to get answers on the current operation of the migration system from those directly responsible for administering it. The hearing is particularly timely given the recent completion of the Parkinson Review, the announcement of the government’s proposed Migration Strategy, and the ongoing Multicultural Framework Review. The committee will be very interested to hear about the outcomes of these initiatives and how the Department will implement associated reforms," she said.

"The committee has already heard from a whole range of sectors, all united in the view that migration remains crucial to Australia’s national interest. So it is vital that we have a migration system that is fit-for-purpose, backed by evidence and research, and is beneficial to Australia’s society, culture and economy, as well as to migrants themselves," Ms Vamvakinou said.

The full hearing program is available on the committee website.

Hearing details

Wednesday, 14 June 2023

11.45am to 1.45pm

Main Committee Room, Parliament House Canberra.

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THE Human Rights Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT) will speak to key charitable and human rights organisations about trends in relation to human rights violations against women and children in a public hearing to be held in Melbourne CBD on Wednesday, June 7.

Ms Maria Vamvakinou MP, Member for Calwell and Chair of the Human Rights Subcommittee, said, “The Subcommittee has heard evidence of a range of human rights abuses being perpetrated against women and children across the globe. This public hearing will focus on delving further into these issues, identifying the root causes of gendered violence, and considering how best to move forward in the pursuit of gender equality and protecting the rights of the child.”

The Subcommittee will finalise its hearing program soon and move towards the preparation of its report. Submissions to the inquiry were due by Friday, December 16, 2022; however, late submissions may be considered. Submissions containing graphic material will not be accepted to the inquiry. Submissions should be lodged online using a My Parliament account.

Further information in relation to the inquiry is available from the JSCFADT’s website.

Hearing details

Time: 10.15am to 4.45pm (AEST)

Venue: Seminar Room 2 & 3, Level 7, Monash Conference Centre, 30 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Witnesses:

Australian Red Cross
Plan International Australia
Uniting Church of Australia                       
Iranian Women’s Association     
CBM Australia & The Australian Disability and Development Consortium
International Women’s Development Agency
Monash University & Eleos Justice

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