Various government agencies and organisations will speak at the hearing on Thursday while the Friday hearing will hear from civil society groups, academics, and tech companies.
Committee chair Senator James Paterson said, "These hearings will provide the committee with a solid base of evidence to this Inquiry. The committee is looking forward to discussing this significant national security topic with some of the leading experts in the field of extremism and radicalisation."
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, teleconference and video conference facilities will be used to connect witnesses to committee members. The hearings will be broadcast live on the Watch Parliament website.
Further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the committee’s website.
COVID-19 has drawn more investor interest to the health sector, particularly companies using genomics technology. It is shaping up as a hot area for venture capital firms in 2021, according to Stoic Venture Capital.
Genomics uses an organism’s whole DNA sequence to develop treatments such as vaccines or drugs. Stoic Venture Capital partner Geoff Waring said the COVID-19 pandemic revealed a greater need for investment in Australian genomics innovation.
Dr Waring said there was not enough Australian capability in the mRNA technology behind the fastest developed and highest efficacy vaccines, such as the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines.
“Venture capital firms see big potential for genomics technologies,” Dr Waring said.
“Example promising applications are mRNA vaccines for diseases such as malaria or HIV, precision patient-specific pharmaceuticals, or genetically engineered Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cells which had miraculous results for even late stage cancer.”
Australian companies spun out from research in genes and genetic data are developing promising solutions that could dramatically change health care in areas such as cancer and cardiovascular disease, he said.
“The incredible efficacy and safety of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines has driven increased interest into genomics research and the genetic diagnosis and treatment of disease,” Dr Waring said.
“Using a different angle, some startups are also using artificial intelligence to identify patterns giving insights into complex genetic conditions.”
Genomics has potential application across many areas. Ophthalmology has seen promising results in Exonate, a drug development company using genomics from Australian research out of University of NSW. In February 2021 they began their phase 1b/2 clinical trial in collaboration with Janssen Pharmaceuticals.
“Exonate’s drug modulates alternative mRNA splicing to address wet age related macular degeneration, which is the leading cause of severe vision impairment for people older than 40,” Dr Waring said.
Dr Waring said investor interest in the health sector would continue to increase post-COVID-19, with venture capital firms providing critical funding to help these companies grow.
“They have to have the right value proposition, but start-ups translating genomics research into human trials are of interest,” Dr Waring said. “We are fortunate to have genomics-based research developed at leading organisations such as the Garvan Institute of Medical Research.
“Venture capital firms that understand the work of university researchers and clinicians have the best access to and understanding of the most promising innovations in life sciences.”
About Stoic Venture Capital
Stoic Venture Capital provides financing for early-stage companies, particularly those arising from university research. Stoic is unconditionally registered as an Early-Stage Venture Capital Limited Partnership (ESVCLP) and takes a collaborative approach to investing in the highest potential companies. Atlas Advisors Australia AFOF is the major limited partner for the Fund. www.stoicvc.com.au
The Committee will also make site visits to The Glen Centre and Yarpa Business Hub.
Stakeholders appearing will include representatives from land councils, Indigenous enterprises and business associations, including: Barang Regional Alliance, Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council, NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce, Speaking in Colour, Asquith Workforce, BlaQ Aboriginal Corporation, Muru Mittigar, and NSW Aboriginal Land Council.
Committee Chair Julian Leeser MP said, "These hearings will contribute significantly to the existing body of evidence for this inquiry. The committee looks forward to discussing gaps and opportunities in the workforce and future growth sectors that could result in employment and enterprise options for Indigenous Australians.
"We look forward to hearing from Indigenous business owners about their experiences running successful enterprises. It will be particularly useful to learn about present challenges and how the Government can better facilitate business opportunities," Mr Leeser said.
Public hearing details
Date: Wednesday, 28 April 2021 Time: 10am to 1:15pm AEDT Venue: Mercure Kooindah Waters Hotel, Wyong.
Date: Thursday, 29 April 2021 Time: 9am to 1pm AEDT Venue: Yarpa Business and Employment Hub, Liverpool.
Interested parties can listen to the audio live streaming.
CORELOGIC's Rental Review for the March 2021 quarter revealed a surge in national rental rates of 3.2 percent, however the drivers of this growth are diverse, with the regions, Darwin and Perth collectively driving much of the increase.
Across the combined regional markets, rents rose 4.1 percent in the first quarter of the year while rents in the combined capitals increased 2.9 percent. Regional units recorded the highest quarterly rental growth of 4.8 percent compared to the 2 percent rise in capital city units. Capital city house rents were up 3.3 percent while regional houses rose by a higher 4 percent in the three months to March.
Houses and units in Darwin showed the strongest growth in rental rates over the quarter, up 8.2 percent and 7.0 percent respectively.
CoreLogic’s research director Tim Lawless said, "While housing rents are rising at the fastest pace since 2007, the headline reading hides the sheer diversity of rental conditions around the country. At one end of the spectrum we have Perth and Darwin where annual rental growth is well into double digits and accelerating. At the other end is Melbourne and Sydney where rents are down over the year.
“The annual decline in rents across Australia’s two largest cities is attributable to falling rents in the unit sector, where closed international borders have created a demand shock in a market that was already challenged by high supply. Melbourne unit rents have fallen by -8.2 percent over the year and Sydney unit rents are -4.9 percent lower.
“Some inner city precincts of Melbourne have seen unit rents fall by more than -20 percent over the past 12 months. Prospects for a material improvement in rental conditions across these inner city high density precincts are largely dependent on a return of tenancy demand from international students and visitors, who were previously a key component of rental demand," Mr Lawless said.
“Although rents are generally rising, housing values have been rising at a faster rate which has seen rental yields compress across most of the capital cities. The exceptions are Perth and Darwin where rents have risen at a faster pace than housing values, driving a rise in yields. The opposite is true in Sydney and Melbourne where rental yields are plumbing new record lows.
“Outside of Sydney and Melbourne, with mortgage rates so low, yields are generally high enough to provide investors with positive cash flow opportunities from the outset,” Mr Lawless said.
Key highlights – March Quarter
National rental rates rose by 3.2% over the first quarter of 2021; the largest quarterly increase in the national rental index since May 2007.
Combined capital city dwelling rents rose 2.9% in the March quarter, while regional rents increased 4.1% over the same period.
Unit rents rose across both regional and capital city markets, with regional units recording the highest quarterly rental growth of 4.8% compared to the 2.0% rise in capital city units.
Capital city house rents were up by 3.3% over the three months to March 2021 and rents across regional houses rose by a higher 4.0% quarterly.
Houses and units in Darwin show the strongest growth in rental rates over the quarter, up 8.2% and 7.0% respectively.
Canberra was not only the most expensive market to rent a house across the capital cities, but also the most expensive capital city unit rental market in the quarter at $513p/w.
Melbourne recorded the weakest growth in rents over the three months to March 2021, with house rents up 1.6%, while unit rents were unchanged over the quarter.
National gross rental yields were recorded at 3.55%, down from 3.71% over the December quarter and 3.76% a year earlier as dwelling values outperform rental growth.
Darwin was the highest yielding capital city, up 21 basis points over the month to 6.21%. Sydney remains the lowest yielding at 2.74%.
THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson met with Australia Post today in a collaborative effort to resolve issues with delivery of perishable goods to support small business food producers.
Mr Billson described the first meeting with Australia Post as productive, saying he is looking forward to working closely with Australia Post and all relevant stakeholders to ensure small businesses can continue to count on essential delivery services of their products.
“This initial meeting with Australia Post gives me confidence that we can work together to identify what the problems are and to find solutions to make a pathway forward,” Mr Billson said.
“My office has made it clear to Australia Post that many small business food producers, especially those in regional areas, are reliant on the continuation of postage services to fulfil their orders.
“Australia Post has demonstrated a willingness to work through issues in its delivery network, including ongoing discussions with industry regulators. My state-based Small Business Commissioner colleagues are also well-placed to play a key role in this problem-solving process if it is a matter of complex and differing food regulation requirements across the states.
“It’s vital we all roll up our sleeves to achieve an outcome that provides e-commerce-enabled small businesses with the confidence that their good will be delivered by Australia Post," Mr Billson said.
“Our next steps include identifying case studies, finalising plans for consultation and forming an industry working forum to meet in May. Ensuring regulatory bodies, government agencies and e-commerce representatives are at the table to work towards a resolution to this important issue is necessary.
“In the meantime, my office is encouraging small business food producers who rely on Australia Post’s delivery services, to get in contact with my office as we want to make sure they are a meaningful part of this conversation," he said.
“Ultimately, this thorough consultation process is both about resolving the issues Australia Post identifies as well as ensuring essential services such as postage of goods are meeting the needs of small business food producers.”
Small business food producers can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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