THE report of the Inquiry into Defence relationships in the Pacific undertaken by Defence Sub-Committee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade was tabled last week.

Chair of the Sub-Committee Andrew Wallace MP said Defence and security challenges faced in the Pacific are now more prevalent and complex than ever before. ​

“It behoves all members of our Pacific family to be aware of emerging issues, and to face them together in an organised, collaborative, and coordinated manner. As a regional medium-power, Australia bears significant responsibility for creating the environment and providing the means to achieve this..” he said.

The inquiry report and its recommendations reflect the fact that there are several existing and proven defence initiatives and programs which contribute significantly to the Pacific Step-up. These include the long-standing Defence Cooperation Program and the Pacific Maritime Security Program.

The report also indicates that there are ways to improve these initiatives, as well as new and innovative ways to forge, deepen and strengthen defence ties between members of the Pacific family. This is where the future of Australian defence relationships should be focussed.

“From fisheries management, protection and surveillance, to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, intelligence collection and sharing, climate change and the global pandemic, Australia’s defence organisation stands ready to play its part in the Pacific Step-up. There is, however, more to be done.” Mr Wallace said.

This Parliamentary inquiry examined Australia’s Defence relationships with Pacific Island nations in the context of the Pacific Step-up. The inquiry heard from a range of Academic, Government, and Non-Government Agencies over two days of public hearings in July 2020 and via a number of written submissions provided to the Sub-Committee from Government agencies, academia and individuals. ​

While the conduct of the inquiry was impacted by COVID-19, the submissions received, and evidence heard at public hearings was of the highest quality and the committee thanks all of those who contributed to it. This report and its recommendations reflect the committee’s belief that Australia’s defence relationships in the Pacific are extremely important, are becoming increasingly so, and that additional efforts can and should be made to ensure the security of our region in the years to come. ​

Further details about the about the inquiry, including terms of reference, details on how to contribute a submission and, when available, details of public hearings and roundtable discussions, can also be obtained from the committee’s website.

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THE NSW Government is being urged to intervene and employ NSW's contact tracers directly, with hundreds of the disease detectives uncertain about their ongoing work.

The Public Service Association (PSA) is warning NSW's contact tracers, many of whom are stood down aviation workers, may soon walk after more than a year of insecure work and growing rostering chaos.

While some contact tracers are employed directly by the Ministry of Health, many who do the follow up calls, including advising people of a close contact, advising on changing restrictions, and following up that people are following isolation orders, have been employed for more than a year through ad-hoc labour hire arrangements.

"Insecure work and pandemics just don't mix," assistant secretary of the PSA, Troy Wright said. "Labour hire means insecure conditions for workers, poor value for taxpayers, and puts the entire contact tracing system at risk.

"COVID-19 isn't going anywhere. We need to make contact tracers permanent employees so that they'll be there when we need them. The government needs to be retaining these skilled workers."

Recently the union has heard of rising absenteeism, increased turnover, and plummeting morale as management refuses to provide certainty around shifts or ongoing work.

"NSW's gold standard contact tracing system is at risk because the government refuses to offer any job security," Mr Wright said.

"These people have a tough enough job as it is. They're the ones on the end of the phone telling someone Christmas is cancelled or that they may have unknowingly exposed loved ones. They don't deserve the added stress of knowing that if they speak up about conditions they'll be shown the door."

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THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security tabled its report on Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (International Production Orders) Bill 2020 last week.

The Committee recommended that, following the implementation of the recommendations in its report, the IPO Bill 2020 be passed by Parliament.

The Chair, Senator James Paterson, said, “An international production orders scheme will provide Australia’s law enforcement agencies and ASIO with much faster access to evidence during the investigation and prosecution of serious crimes, a vital power in an increasingly digital world where much evidence is located offshore.

“The Committee’s recommendations seek to provide necessary assurances that any international agreement that Australia enters into under the provisions in the Bill are necessary, proportionate and subject to appropriate oversight.” Senator Paterson said.

The Committee recommended that the Bill contain a list of conditions governing designated international agreements, including on the non-use of the death penalty on Australian-sourced information, as well as the conditions a foreign country must meet prior to Australia negotiating a designated international agreement.

In addition, the Committee recommended that the authority to apply for an international production order be confined to senior officers in the relevant law enforcement agencies and ASIO. The Committee also made a number of recommendations to enhance oversight of the powers.

Further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the Committee’s website.

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THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) Bruce Billson has welcomed plans to establish a new mandatory Franchise Disclosure Registry, saying it would provide prospective franchisees with vital information needed prior to entering into a binding franchise agreement.

Mr Billson said the national registry, to be released next year, would require franchisors to lodge disclosure documentation about their franchise annually. These documents will be publicly available through the registry.

“There is a clear need of greater awareness in the franchise sector and this registry will certainly help restore confidence in this sector,” Mr Billson said.

“My office has advocated strongly for the implementation of this registry to improve transparency of franchise operations, so prospective franchisees are properly informed before signing a franchise agreement.

“Over the past six months my office has fielded over 240 calls from franchisees seeking information regarding disputes under Franchising Code of Conduct.

“This demonstrates just how critically important it is for prospective franchisees to know what they are getting into before signing a franchise agreement.

“The Franchise Disclosure Registry will be publicly available, to help prospective franchisees undertake vital due diligence that is necessary before entering into a franchise agreement.

“The cost of purchasing and setting up a franchise can be very significant, so it makes good business sense to do your homework first.

“As part of that due diligence, it is important to seek independent legal and business advice before making that substantial investment.

“Prospective franchisees need to ensure they are aware of a range of key ongoing costs associated with running the business such as wages, rent and inventory.”

The Franchise Disclosure Registry is scheduled for release in early 2022. There will be a transition period to allow franchising businesses to understand the new requirements before the registry is mandated.

Anyone involved in a franchise dispute under the Code is encouraged to contact ASBFEO for assistance on 1300 650 460 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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