THE Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, through the Human Rights Subcommittee (the subcommittee), has commenced a review of the amendments made by the Autonomous Sanctions Amendment (Magnitsky-style and Other Thematic Sanctions) Act 2021.

Pursuant to Clause 4 of the Autonomous Sanctions Amendment (Magnitsky-style and Other Thematic Sanctions) Act 2021 the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade is required to commence a review of the operation of the amendments made by this Act as soon as possible after December 8, 2024.

Chair of the Subcommittee, Maria Vamvakinou, said, “There is a role for sanctions in applying pressure to states or individuals, with the goal of targeting the repression of human rights. The review will seek to ascertain how the operation of the amendments made by the Act, accord with Australia’s international human rights obligations’."

Submissions from interested individuals and organisations are invited by January 17, 2025. The preferred method of receiving submissions is by electronic format lodged online using a My Parliament account.

Further information about the committee’s inquiry is available on the committee’s website.

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THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) will hear from Government entities and private sector organisations on Wednesday, December 4, for its inquiries into government contract management frameworks and the use of artificial intelligence systems by public sector entities.

JCPAA Chair, Linda Burney MP, said, "The committee looks forward to continuing to explore best practices in contract management, including discussions with the Department of Finance which administers the Australian Government Contract Management Guide."

Ms Burney said in relation to the public sector AI inquiry that "further discussions with government entities, that have specific and relevant oversight functions in addition to non-government stakeholders, will provide valuable additional insights to the committee on how this rapidly developing technology should be managed."

Program

Wednesday December 4, 2024

Committee Room 2R1

Parliament House

Inquiry into the contract management frameworks operated by Commonwealth entities

10.30am         ACTA (Australian Council of TESOL [Teaching English to speakers of other languages] Associations)  

11am         Department of Finance

Inquiry into the use and governance of artificial intelligence systems by public sector entities

12.30pm         National Archives of Australia

1:10pm           Australian Human Rights Commission

2pm           Community and Public Sector Union

2:30pm           Workday

Further details of the inquiries – including the submissions received and public hearings – are available on the inquiry websites (contract management; artificial intelligence).

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THE Productivity Commission is seeking ideas from everyday Australians to inform our policy recommendations to government. 

“We are looking for practical policy ideas from people in all walks of life on how Australia can work smarter, more efficiently, and more productively,” Chair Danielle Wood said.

This initiative follows the Treasurer’s announcement of five new inquiries to be completed by the Productivity Commission:

1. Creating a dynamic and resilient economy.
2. Building a more skilled and adaptable workforce.
3. Harnessing data and digital technology.
4. Delivering quality care more efficiently.
5. Investing in cheaper, cleaner energy and the net zero transformation.

“Everything from our economic security to our living standards and the health of our families and the environment depends on getting these policy areas right,” Ms Wood said.

"The Productivity Commissionwill combine the public input with our own research to identify 3-5 policy reforms under each pillar to explore further.  

“If you have a clear, actionable policy idea that aligns with one or more of the five inquiry areas we want to hear about it. We want to hear from builders on how to overcome barriers on the job site, teachers on how government can better support their students, and aged and disability care workers on ideas for the care system,” Ms Wood said.

As the Federal Government’s leading independent economic advisory body, the Productivity Commission’s recommendations have helped shape policy for more than 20 years.

“The Productivity Commission has always depended on the input of Australians to inform its recommendations, but this is the first time it has sought out grassroots insights on every aspect of policy in Australia,” Ms Wood said. 

“We are throwing open the doors and asking all Australians for their best ideas on how governments can create the kind of growth and improvements in living standards we enjoyed in previous decades.

“We all have a stake in Australia’s future – the Productivity Commission is excited to hear first-hand from everyday people how government can shape that future for the better.” 

Comments are open until January 15, 2025 on https://engage.pc.gov.au/

The Productivity Commission will be seeking more detailed submissions on the new inquiries in 2025. 

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THE Australian Parliament’s Agriculture Committee has made 13 recommendations following an inquiry into the role of Australian agriculture in Southeast Asian markets.

The inquiry examined ways to deepen engagement with Southeast Asia in food and agriculture with reference to Invested: Australia’s Southeast Economic Strategy to 2040 (the Moore report).

Committee Chair, Meryl Swanson, said, "The Moore report emphasised the significance of Australia’s relationship with Southeast Asia at an economic level, but urged us to look beyond trade to a broader and more closely integrated relationship with the region.

"Australia has an important role to play in the food security of Southeast Asia through food exports and by building agriculture and food production capability in the region. Australian technology and production systems also have much to offer the region. Long-term investment in regional relationships will be vital to progressing both trade and regional collaboration," Ms Swanson said.

In addition to supporting the recommendations of the Moore report, the committee has recommended:

• resourcing agencies to implement trade agreements and address non-tariff barriers;
• making a long-term commitment to the Southeast Asia Business Exchange program;
• maintaining and enhancing the Agriculture Counsellor network;
• reinstating and resourcing the Agri-Business Expansion Initiative and the Agriculture Trade and Market Access Cooperation program;
• increasing the resources available for regional collaboration on biosecurity; and
• providing additional funding to ACIAR for its work in Southeast Asia.

The committee further supports the establishment of the Australian Agricultural Partnership and the extension of the PALM scheme to Southeast Asia.

Over the course of the inquiry, the Committee held seven public hearings and received 28 written submissions from industry, government and other interested stakeholders. 

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

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