A NEW Parliamentary inquiry report highlights that government procurement has an important part to play in supporting the development of Australia’s sovereign industry capability.

John Alexander OAM MP, Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Transport and Cities, today tabled the report for the committee’s inquiry into procurement practices for government-funded infrastructure.

"Since starting the inquiry last year, these issues have become even more significant and pressing," Mr Alexander said. "Sovereign security has in recent times, become an important issue for our country, as tensions between great power competitors come into sharp focus, with real concern for the impact this has on our exports and the flow-on effects to our economy.

"Over many decades, sovereign security has been compromised due to our expedient choices in seeking the lowest price over best value for our procurement. This has diminished our capacity to deliver fit-for-purpose infrastructure and a sustainable industry," Mr Alexander said.

"The lack of long-term planning has resulted in a piecemeal, ad hoc and reactive delivery process, which thwarts the development of efficiencies in the construction industry that could be attained if there was a steady pipeline of projects available. Industry needs the confidence to gear up in line with the opportunities available, which would build up industry capacity and productivity.

"‘In the 88 percent male dominated construction workforce, more needs to be done to address the cultural practices and norms within the construction industry that disincentivise women from entering or staying."

The committee makes eight recommendations aimed at:

• improving the planning, procurement and delivery of government-funded infrastructure projects;
• improving collaboration between the tiers of government;
• enhancing opportunities for Tier 2 and 3 companies and Australian businesses to participate in the significant Australian infrastructure pipeline;
• improving technology uptake by both governments and industry; and
• improving the construction industry’s capacity and sovereign capability.

The report is available on the committee’s website.

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FEDERAL Labor’s promise to commit $10 billion to build affordable social housing is welcome, but only scratches the surface of what is now a housing crisis in Australia.

If Labor leader Anthony Albanese is serious about reducing housing poverty in Australia, he must commit the party to spending at least $20 billion over the next five years, according to CFMEU Construction and General national secretary Dave Noonan.

“Housing is a fundamental human necessity," Mr Noonan said. "In fact it is a basic human right, but right now home ownership is simply out of reach for most Australians.”

Successive Australian governments have failed to take the steps necessary to ensure that all Australians have access to affordable housing, resulting in a massive increase in homelessness, rental stress and housing insecurity, Mr Noonan said.

“Quite simply, as skewed tax incentives and low housing stocks have seen property prices skyrocketing and rents rising by an average of 20 per cent in the past two years, social housing construction has failed to keep pace with the growth in waiting lists.”

“The ensuing homelessness and housing insecurity affects parts of the community disproportionately; in particular younger people, First Australians and women over 50.”

Mr Noonan said the small positive gains made, such as industry superannuation investing in affordable housing through National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation bonds, is still too little and too slow to address the problem.

“Australia’s stock of social housing has not grown for 30 years, and the share of social housing has fallen from six percent to four percent today, leading to the shortfall of 100,000 dwellings that we now face," he said.

“At the CFMEU’s national conference this week delegates voted unanimously on a resolution demanding Labor at least double its investment to $20 billion to make inroads into this crisis.”

The conference also called for a full, independent, inquiry into affordable and social housing policy, including the interaction between federal and state governments, tax policy, future needs, and other relevant factors.

“This is a task for all levels of government, along with financial institutions such as super funds, to substantially increase investment in social and affordable housing immediately.  A failure to act is a failure of leadership, and a betrayal of future generations,” Mr Noonan said.

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade presented its report into Strengthening Australia’s relationships with countries in the Pacific region in the Senate yesterday.

The Chair of the Foreign Affairs and Aid Sub-Committee, Dave Sharma MP said, “This report seeks to build upon the success of the Pacific Step-up and identify further prospective areas for deepening and strengthening Australia’s engagement in the Pacific.

“At a time of intensifying geopolitical competition and growing global challenges, especially that of climate change, fostering and strengthening Australia’s relationships with the Pacific has assumed a new importance and urgency.”

The committee made several recommendations, including:

• that Australia lead a large-scale, multi-year post-COVID-19 aid and recovery package;
• that Australia builds upon labour mobility schemes to provide better career development options and permanent residency pathways;
• that support for climate change mitigation and adaptation be a high priority in Australia’s immediate regional assistance program;
• that the Federal Court of Australia’s judicial capacity-building programs in the Pacific continue to be supported;
• the creation of a dedicated Pacific component to Australia’s permanent migration intake, akin to the New Zealand model;
• expanding Australia’s media and broadcasting footprint in the Pacific, recognising this is a key element of soft power; and
• exploring ambitious proposals for deeper integration, such as a long-term compact of free association

Further information about the inquiry, including the report, submissions, transcripts, and responses to questions on notice, can be found on the Committee’s website.

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THE Joint Select Committee on Road Safety today tabled the final report for its Inquiry into Road Safety.

The report examines factors contributing to fatal and serious injuries on Australian roads and considers opportunities to improve road safety outcomes through measures which:

• support the design, construction, and maintenance of high-quality road infrastructure that minimises the likelihood and severity of road crashes;
• encourage the uptake of modern vehicles fitted with proven safety features;
• effectively manage speeds to safe levels and deter unsafe behaviours;
• ensure all road users are equipped with the knowledge and skills to identify and respond appropriately to road safety risks;
• embed road safety as part of ‘business as usual’ in public and private sector organisations;
• promote safety for gig economy participants who use the road as a workplace;
• enhance road safety in the heavy vehicle sector; and
• contribute to effective post-crash response and trauma support.

The report also identifies a need for effective leadership and oversight in relation to road safety at the national level, noting that efforts to improve road safety in the past have been stymied by poor governance, a lack of clearly defined responsibilities for reducing road trauma, and failures to report progress towards set targets in a meaningful way.

In addition, the report highlights the importance of high-quality research and reliable, accurate data to understanding the road safety environment and to the design, implementation, and evaluation of innovative measures to improve road safety outcomes.

The report includes 61 recommendations relating to these matters.

Committee Chair, Darren Chester MP, said, "Road trauma touches the lives of all Australians, whether as victims of a road crash or as family members, friends, first responders, or members of the wider community. The causes of road trauma are complex and demand innovative solutions supported by strong leadership, reliable, accurate data, and high-quality research.

"The committee’s report outlines a series of measures that may be taken to improve road safety in the short term, while also highlighting some of the steps that should be taken if we are to achieve sustainable reductions in road trauma into the future.

"While the committee’s report outlines several areas where road safety can be enhanced, what is crucial is that governments at all levels take responsibility for reducing fatal and serious injuries on our roads, including implementing as a matter of urgency recommendations of this and other inquiries. As this report coincides with the federal Budget, the committee also calls on the Government to invest in safety for all Australians by committing sustainable funding to measures which reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads."

The committee has thanked all who contributed to the inquiry by lodging submissions, giving their time to provide evidence at hearings, providing additional information, or expressing views via correspondence.

The report is available on the committee’s website.

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