ON FRIDAY, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport will hear from local government associations from South Australia, Western Australia, Victoria, and the Northern Territory as part of its inquiry into local government sustainability.

The committee will also hear from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Jobs and Skills Australia, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, and the Department of Finance.

Chair of the committee, Luke Gosling OAM, MP, said, "The hearing will provide an opportunity for the committee to learn more about the challenges and opportunities facing local governments.

"Local governments play a vital role in supporting the economic, social, and environmental wellbeing of their communities. They are also key partners in delivering infrastructure and vital services that enhance regional development and affect communities, businesses, and people.

"The committee is keen to hear from the local government associations about their perspectives and priorities on these issues," Mr Gosling said.

The committee is interested in hearing about the evolving role of the local government sector and the scope and volume of the changing service delivery landscape, the key cost pressures impacting financial sustainability, particularly infrastructure management, and drivers underlying critical workforce issues across the respective states and territories.

The hearing also provides an opportunity to gather evidence concerning current and future workforce skills, attraction and retention challenges, along with local government environmental concerns and legislative requirements, and the broader Commonwealth grants funding framework.

Public hearing details

Canberra, Australian Parliament House and via videoconference

Date:      Friday, 7 June 2024
Venue:   Committee Room 1R4
Time:     9.30am to 2pm (AEST)

The committee will hold further public hearings during 2024. Further information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and how to contribute, is available on the committee’s website.

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THE HOUSE Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Resources will hear from peak industry bodies from the spirit and craft distilling sector as part of its inquiry into food and beverage manufacturing in Australia on Wednesday, June 5.

Committee Chair, Rob Mitchell MP said, “The Australian spirits industry has seen immense growth over the past decade, with the number of Australian distilleries increasing significantly.

“The committee is interested to hear about the barriers the industry faces, and what innovations are on the horizon to enable the Australian spirits industry to realise its full potential.”

The committee will conduct further public hearings between June and August 2024. Further information about the inquiry, including the Terms of Reference, is available on the committee's website: aph.gov.au/isr.

Public hearing details

Date: Wednesday, 5 June 2024
Time: 8:30am to 9:30am (AEST)
Location: Committee Room 1R5, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600
Witnesses: Spirits & Cocktails Australia and Australian Distillers Association.

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THE House Standing Committee on Agriculture has today commenced an inquiry into the Export Control Amendment (Ending Live Sheep Exports by Sea) Bill 2024, which will end the live sheep export trade by sea from May 1, 2028.

Committee Chair, Meryl Swanson MP, said the Bill fulfilled the government’s election promise to end the live export of sheep while providing time and funding for industry to adjust to the end of the trade.

The committee will examine the provisions of the Bill and its application to the live sheep export trade, especially in Western Australia. This includes the end of live sheep exports by sea and authority for Commonwealth spending to assist sheep farmers, businesses and communities to prepare and adapt.

The committee will hold two public hearings for the inquiry in Canberra on June 12 and in Muresk, Western Australia on June 14, 2024.

“There are a range of views on this issue. The committee is looking forward to meeting and talking with stakeholders in Western Australia,” Ms Swanson said.

“The public hearing in Muresk will provide an opportunity for the Committee to meet those most affected. Anyone who would like to share their views on the Bill can engage with the committee in a number of ways including by making a written submission, or attending a public hearing where the Committee plans to hold a community statements session.”

Stakeholders are encouraged to contact the secretariat as soon as possible to register your interest. Submissions to the inquiry will be open until  June 11, 2024.

Further information about this inquiry, including how to make a submission can be found on the Committee’s website.

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water has concluded its inquiry into plastic pollution in Australia’s oceans and waterways.

The committee’s final report, tabled today in Parliament, makes 22 recommendations aimed at strengthening Australia’s plastics management framework to minimise plastic waste to landfill, incentivise the use of recycled materials in the production of new plastics and strengthen management of the plastics that are already in the environment.

Chair of the Committee, Tony Zappia MP, said, "Without urgent action, plastic waste will increase and continue to negatively impact our oceans and waterways. Australia needs to act now to protect its natural environment for future generations."

A key recommendation is the development of an updated National Plastics Plan in consultation with state and territory governments, industry, and the community. Mr Zappia said, "The plan should be nationally coordinated and increase industry accountability to reduce the amount of plastics ending up in landfill."

"Many Australians want to recycle correctly but inconsistencies among states and territories have led consumers to believe that certain items are recyclable or compostable when they are not. The committee recommends nationally harmonising the single-use plastic bans, waste collection standards and the Container Deposit Scheme," Mr Zappia said.

"Packaging and recycling labelling need to be standardised and simplified to reduce confusion and help consumers recycle the right containers," he said.

"We also need to better understand the potential risks and effects of microplastic pollution on human health. The committee has recommended investment in research and the development of a microplastic reduction strategy to limit microplastic pollution in our marine environments.’

The full report, including the committee’s complete list of recommendations, can be found on the inquiry website.

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