AT A PUBLIC hearing on Friday August 27, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works will scrutinise a $27.49 million proposal from the Australian Institute of Marine Science to expand its National Sea Simulator to support research for protecting the Great Barrier Reef.

The inquiry into the Australian Institute of Marine Science, Expansion of the National Sea Simulator will examine the need and cost effectiveness of the proposed expansion, and explore how the expanded SeaSim capacity will directly support significant research under the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan and the Great Barrier Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program.

Public hearing details

Date: Friday, 27 August 2021
Time: 11am to 12pm (AEST)
Location: via teleconference

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works is not involved in the tendering process, awarding of contracts or details of the proposed works. Inquiries on these matters should be addressed to the relevant Commonwealth entities.

ends

THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has concluded a review into the Foreign Intelligence Legislation Amendment Bill 2021 and recommends its passage with amendments.

The PJCIS made three recommendations in relation to the Bill, including to improve oversight and accountability of foreign intelligence gathering.

The proposed legislation addresses unintended gaps in Australia’s foreign intelligence collection. The Bill will restore intelligence agencies’ ability to collect intelligence about foreign threats to Australia in line with the original intent of the Parliament which has been impacted by technological change.

The Bill also responds to a recommendation in the comprehensive review of intelligence by Dennis Richardson to close a gap in Australia’s foreign intelligence collection framework which permits collection on Australians acting on behalf of foreign powers while they are offshore but not onshore.

Chair of the Committee, Senator James Paterson said, "The capability to gather foreign intelligence is a key component of the Australian Government’s ability to protect Australians and safeguard our national interest. It is vital we ensure it remains operationally effective in the modern era."

Further information on the inquiry as well as a copy of the report can be obtained from the Committee’s website.

ends

PROFESSOR of engineering at the Australian National University (ANU), Andrew Blakers, will appear at Wednesday’s third public hearing for the House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment and Energy’s inquiry into the current circumstances, and the future need and potential, for dispatchable energy generation and storage capability in Australia.

Committee Chair Ted O’Brien MP said, "This public hearing is an opportunity for the committee to hear more about the requirements to balance an electricity market comprising more and more renewables, including through long-distance transmission, demand management, legacy generation sources and storage options.

Professor Blakers has significant expertise in energy matters. We are looking forward to discussing his research and his views on the future prospects and prerequisites for dispatchable energy in Australia," Mr O’Brien said.

Public hearing details

Date: Wednesday, 25 August 2021
Time: 10.15am to 11am
Location: via videoconference

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, committee proceedings held in Parliament House are not currently open to the public. The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

ends

ISSUES such as country of origin labelling, regional infrastructure and regulatory pathways in aquaculture will be considered by the House Agriculture and Water Resources Committee at an upcoming public hearing.

The committee will hear from Seafood Industry Australia, the national peak body representing the Australian seafood industry, as part of its current inquiry into Australia’s aquaculture sector. The organisation will be appearing via videoconference.

Committee Chair, Rick Wilson MP, said Seafood Industry Australia represents a wide range of stakeholders in aquaculture throughout Australia and offers perspectives from across the industry on a broad range of topics such as policy, regulation, workforce, infrastructure and export market growth.

"While the committee has heard that there are many region-specific issues to be considered in this inquiry, it is valuable to understand how these are reflected on a national scale," Mr Wilson said.

For further information, visit the inquiry website.

Public hearing details

Date: Thursday, 26 August 2021
Time: 10.10am to 10:50am AEST

A live audio stream of the hearing will be accessible at: www.aph.gov.au/live.

ends