IDENTIFYING challenges and opportunities for Australia to capitalise on our abundant natural resources to drive economic growth, create new industries and jobs and become a renewable energy superpower will be the focus of a parliamentary committee.

The Joint Standing Committee on Trade and Investment Growth has launched the inquiry into Australia's transition to a green energy superpower.

Committee Chair, Steve Georganas MP said, “Australia is well on its way to becoming a renewable energy superpower, and I hope this inquiry will be a valuable opportunity to ensure we are doing everything possible to strive further towards a green energy future.

"The committee wants to hear from Australian governments, businesses, and other interested parties from across the community about where trade and investment activities are already having a positive impact; emerging and possible future trends, areas of growth, and how can these be accelerated.”

The committee is seeking submissions from interested individuals, businesses and organisations on the inquiry’s terms of reference by Wednesday, November 30, 2022.

The committee will have particular regard to areas that play to Australia's strengths, including: renewable energy, battery storage, energy supply and infrastructure, electric vehicle industry, infrastructure; advanced manufacturing, and services and technology.

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

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MOBILE infrastructure services across regional Australia will be the focus of a new Federal parliamentary inquiry. The House Communications and the Arts Committee will hear evidence on co‑investment in regional mobile carrier infrastructure.

Committee Chair, Brian Mitchell MP said, "Co-investment is a tool which would allow multiple telecommunications providers in regional areas to invest in and share ‘multi-carrier’ mobile towers and related infrastructure, to improve services."

"The majority of mobile infrastructure is not co-located, especially in regional areas. The rates of co-location for Australia’s major mobile providers dramatically decline as you move from urban to regional and remote areas, to as low as 4.8 percent in very remote areas.

"Connectivity and infrastructure are critical drivers of regional development," Mr Mitchell said. "It is particularly important that we hear directly from our rural, regional and remote communities to hear their views on connecting and staying connected to telecommunications infrastructure."

The terms of reference are available from the committee's inquiry webpage. Submissions can also be made through the webpage, or by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. until November 10, 2022.

Further information can be found on the committee’s webpage.

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THE National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) Legislation Committee will commence public hearings as part of its inquiry into the NACC Bills this week.

Hearings will be held on October 18, 19, 20 and 21, 2022 at Parliament House in Canberra and broadcast on the Australian Parliament House website.

Committee Chair Senator Linda White said, "While public hearings will be held in Canberra, the committee will hear from witnesses from around Australia. The committee is determined to hear as many perspectives as possible on this important matter."

Deputy Chair Dr Helen Haines MP said, "The Committee is looking forward to unpacking various issues raised in submissions at these public hearings. The committee is encouraged to see that we have received strong interest from across the community."

The committee invited organisations and individuals to provide evidence at public hearings based on the submissions it received. Submissions closed on October 14, 2022.

Updates or other details regarding general arrangements for public hearings will be published on the committee’s website. Public hearing programs, when available, will remain subject to change. Transcripts of public hearings will be published on the committee’s website once available.

You can also find out more information on the Committee’s FAQ website, which is updated periodically: www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/National_Anti-Corruption_Commission_Legislation/Frequently_Asked_Questions.

The committee is due to report on or before 10 November 2022.

More information about the Committee and its inquiry is available on the committee’s website: www.aph.gov.au/NACC2022.

Public hearing details

Date: Tuesday, 18 October 2022 – Friday, 21 October 2022
Time: Full day hearings. Please monitor the Committee’s website for public hearing programs, which will specify start and end times when published.
Location: Parliament House, Canberra

Hearings will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

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THE Select Committee on Workforce Australia Employment Services is calling for submissions on the ParentsNext program as the first major component of its inquiry into employment services in Australia.

The committee will examine the role of ParentsNext in providing early intervention to disadvantaged parents, in line with a request from the Minister from Employment and Workplace Relations, Tony Burke MP.

Committee Chair, Julian Hill MP said, "This will not be a fairy floss review. The committee has been tasked with a first principles review of Australia’s employment services system. ParentsNext, a pre-employment program to prepare parents and carers for employment before their youngest child begins school, is the initial focus.

"Let’s not beat around the bush. ParentsNext has become highly controversial. Strong supporters claim it helps many single parents, while many equally strongly argue it must be scrapped as it harms people.

"The committee approaches this task with an open mind, and will examine evidence presented and consider how the program invests in building work readiness of its participants. We are interested in hearing what aspects work, how it can help someone to get a secure job, and what action may be needed given concerns expressed by participants and stakeholders.

"Many of the issues we are exploring in relation to Workforce Australia may also apply to ParentsNext."

The committee is seeking written submissions from individuals and organisations by November 30, 2022. The committee said it was particularly interested in ParentsNext’s:

• policy objectives;
• eligibility and compulsory participation requirements;
• impact on women's economic equality and workforce participation;
• efficacy in addressing structural and cultural barriers to accessing family support, education and employment; and
• funding and service delivery arrangements.

Mr Hill said submissions "should ideally be no more than ten (10) pages, and should provide views and recommendations in relation to the ParentsNext program".

The committee has undertaken to make any recommendations in relation to ParentsNext by the end of February 2023, as part of an interim report.

The committee said it would separately call for submissions on Workforce Australia and the employment services system more broadly in the coming weeks, and would publish guidance material to assist submitters.

Further information about the inquiry, including terms of reference,  published submissions and hearing transcripts, are being made available on the inquiry website. Also available is the letter from Minister Burke, which provides additional information about the matters the committee may consider when examining the ParentsNext program.

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