THE Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters is seeking direct feedback from students and schools about civics and citizenship education.

The committee has released a survey on civics and citizenship education in Australian schools as part of its current inquiry. If you are a primary or secondary school student, a recent school leaver or an educator, the committee wants to hear from you. Here is the survey link:

Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters - Civics education survey (surveymonkey.com)

Committee Chair, Kate Thwaites MP, said "The committee is keen to get the perspectives of school students and educators on the way civics is taught in Australian schools. This survey will help the committee understand how students and educators feel about civics and citizenship education, how civics and citizenship are taught in Australian schools, and how students and educators engage with social and political issues.

"It is concerning that many young Australians don’t have the grounding in civics to set them up to be confident participants in our democracy.

"Data from the National Assessment Program–Civics and Citizenship shows that in 2019 just 38 percent of Year 10 students and 53 percent of Year 6 students achieved the ‘proficient’ standard.

"The committee is investigating how civics forms part of the Australian curriculum, examining the importance of media literacy, and listening to the voices of young people about how best to improve civics education," Ms Thwaites said.

"The committee will engage with young people, along with people in remote communities, new migrants and culturally and linguistically diverse Australians, to ensure that everyone in Australia is able to participate fully in our democratic system."

Further information about the inquiry is available on the inquiry website.

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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 of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs has today launched an inquiry into access to family violence orders for victim-survivors in the family law system.

Committee Chair, Susan Templeman MP, said, "The committee is seeking written submissions with ideas for how the Australian Government can provide better access to family violence orders for victim-survivors in the family law system, how those orders can be better enforced, and what supports are needed.”

“There have been many inquiries into family violence and the committee does not intend to revisit findings of other reviews. This inquiry has a narrow focus on what we can do at a federal level to make applying for orders easier for victims already negotiating the family law system and how we can make those orders more effective in keeping families safe,” Ms Templeman said.

"Parliamentary committees cannot investigate or assist with individual cases, particularly those that are, or may be, before the courts. The committee will consider publishing personal contributions if they inform the terms of reference, focus on systemic issues or ideas for improving the system, and do not identify anybody or their personal circumstances.

"The committee will not be publishing contributions that provide personal details or include information relating to individual cases or court orders. However, it may receive personal submissions as confidential evidence if they inform how the system and supports for victim-survivors can be improved."

Written submissions have been requested by Friday, July 19, 2024, and can be submitted via the inquiry website or emailed directly to the secretariat.

Further information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference, is available on the inquiry webpage at www.aph.gov.au/familyviolenceorders.

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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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