THE Joint Standing Committee on Migration has launched a new inquiry into the value of skilled migration to Australia.

Skilled migration has played a central role in shaping Australia’s economic success. Skilled migrants address labour shortages, meet in-demand skills, and foster innovation to boost productivity, drive economic growth, and improve living standards. They also contribute significantly by enriching the cultural diversity that is fundamental to Australian society.

The inquiry will seek to better understand the enduring economic, social and cultural value of skilled migration to Australia, as well as examine the program’s effectiveness in addressing skills gaps and supporting the ongoing needs of Australian businesses. It will also consider the requirements of the states and territories, while recognising the continuing need for housing and infrastructure.

Committee Chair, Steve Georganas MP said, “Skilled migration makes a vital contribution to Australia’s economy and local communities. It is important to ensure the skilled migration program is operating effectively and that we have the right settings to support Australia’s current and future needs.

"The committee also wants to hear what could be done to better build public awareness and understanding about the important role of skilled migration in Australia.”

Interested individuals, businesses and organisations have been encouraged to make a submission addressing one or more of the terms of reference by Monday, January 5, 2026.

For more information about the inquiry, people can visit the inquiry webpage where they can make a submission to the inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. People can also track the committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

ends

TODAY (October 31), the Defence subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will hear from the Department of Defence for its inquiry into the Department of Defence Annual Report 2023–24.

The subcommittee will discuss the following topics with Defence:

• Uncrewed/Autonomous Systems and their integration into the Joint Force;
• Progress on the transformation to an integrated focused force;
• Australian international defence cooperation and competition.

Chair of the Defence subcommittee, Senator Deborah O’Neill, said, "It is a good opportunity for the Defence subcommittee to hear from the Department of Defence on these matters.

"The Department of Defence often appears as a witness to Parliamentary Committees, providing a forum to scrutinise its activities and contribute to their mission in safeguarding the nation.

"The subcommittee is keen to support the Australian Defence Force as it embarks on a major transformation to meet the challenges of a changing security environment."

Further information, including the full Terms of Reference, is available on the inquiry webpage.

Public hearing details

Date: Friday, 31 October 2025
Time: 1pm–3pm (AEDT)
Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra

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

ends

THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) has tabled a report recommending the ratification of three strategic Defence treaties.

The AUKUS-UK Agreement between the United Kingdom and Australia provides a framework for the joint development of a new class of submarines, SSN-AUKUS.

The Agreement follows the 2021 AUKUS treaty between Australia, the UK and the US and includes frameworks for the design, construction, operation and disposal of nuclear waste involved in the development of the submarines. The treaty also includes provisions for UK submarine visits and rotations, intellectual property rights and liability.

The UK Defence Agreement aims to update an existing 2014 treaty to modernise Australia’s defence and security arrangements with the UK. The new agreement will deepen cooperation between the two nations and expand the scope of bilateral collaboration, particularly relating to cyber security, military equipment and capabilities.

The Indonesia Defence Agreement upgrades and replaces an existing arrangement with one that is binding under international law. The agreement will increase opportunities for defence collaboration between the two nations and has provisions for cooperation.

Committee Chair, Lisa Chesters MP said, “These three treaties play a significant role in strengthening Australia’s longstanding defence and security relationships with its key bilateral partners, the United Kingdom and Indonesia. In particular, the AUKUS-UK Agreement will play a key role in Australia’s defence security, maintaining regional stability and growing its industrial capacity.”

The report also contains eight minor treaty actions relating to Amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974.

The report can be found on the Committee website, along with further information on the inquiry.

ends

THE Electoral Matters Committee will continue its program of public hearings as part of the review into the 2025 Federal Election.

On October 31 in Canberra, the committee will hear from several stakeholders in its election review, including the Electoral Integrity Assurance Taskforce, Global Shield Australia and Prof Kim Rubenstein.

On November 7 in Canberra, the committee will hear from political participants; including members and senators.

The committee will begin interstate hearings later this year and early into next year, starting with dates in Melbourne (Kew Court House on November 12) and Bendigo (All Seasons Resort Hotel on November 13).

Committee Chair, Jerome Laxale MP said, "We are keen to hear views from voters and other election participants as we visit places around Australia. We encourage anyone who is interested in speaking with the Committee on 12 or 13 November to register their interest as soon as possible. Information is available from the committee website."

Mr Laxale said, "Now that hearings are underway, we are also keen to get as many written submissions into the public domain as possible — while late submissions can be accepted, we hope that the majority of individuals and organisations can get their views to us by November 14."

In the meantime, the committee has commenced closely reviewing the submissions provided to date, and is publishing them on the inquiry webpage.

"The committee has given careful consideration to ensuring that people can freely express their views, while also balancing the implications of adversely naming specific individuals or candidates," Mr Laxale said.

Further information on the 2025 election inquiry can be found at the inquiry webpage. Committee details can be found at the Committee’s webpage.

Public hearing details

Date: Friday, 31 October 2025
Time: 9am to 3.30pm
Location: Committee Room 1R4, Parliament House, Canberra

9am–9.30am:        Global Shield Australia
9.30am–10am:      Professor Kim Rubenstein
10am–11am:    Electoral Integrity Assurance Taskforce
11am–11.15 am:    Break
11.15 am–1pm:      Electoral Integrity Assurance Taskforce
1pm:                         Adjournment

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

ends

THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit will hold public hearings this Friday as part of two inquiries.

These inquiries are The effectiveness of Australia’s National Anti-Doping Scheme; and The procurement of mandated national support and advocacy services for victims of child sexual abuse.

Date: Friday, 31 October 2025

Time: 9am – 12pm (AEDT)

Venue: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House

Program

Inquiry into the effectiveness of Australia’s National Anti-Doping Scheme

9am           Sport Integrity Australia

Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts

Australian National Audit Office.

Inquiry into the procurement of mandated national support and advocacy services for victims of child sexual abuse

10.35am         Attorney-General’s Department

                        Australian National Audit Office

12pm          Close

The hearings will be broadcast live and will be accessible from the Parliament House website at www.aph.gov.au/live.

Details on the inquiries—including the terms of reference and submissions received—are available on the Committee’s website.

ends

Committee Chair, Tim Watts MP, said. "For our first public hearing for the inquiry, the Committee is looking forward to speaking with the Department of Education to identify practical steps to reverse declining Asia capability in schools and universities. To ensure Australia’s future prosperity and security in our region, it is vital that we continue to strengthen our cultural understanding, language skills, and regional expertise—all of which begin with Australia’s education system."

Mr Watts said the committee has a particular focus on identifying the structural enablers and barriers to building Asia capability in schools and universities and the strategies to increase both demand for and access to Asian languages and cultural studies.

"By making Asia capability a national priority, we can strengthen language learning, cultural understanding, and regional expertise to ensure Australians are prepared to succeed in an increasingly dynamic and complex region," Mr Watts said.

Submissions to the inquiry remain open until November 7 and the Committee will schedule further public hearings soon.

Public hearing

Date: Wednesday, 29 October 2025
Time: 10.45am – 11.45am
Location: Parliament House

A program for the public hearing is available on the inquiry website. A live audio stream of the hearings will also be available on the APH website.

ends

AT 11.15am TODAY, the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will hold a public hearing into three separate proposed agreements relating to air services between Australia and Colombia, Peru and Saudi Arabia.

The proposed agreements aim to facilitate and provide support to Australian airlines entering any point in Australia and any point in Colombia, Peru, and Saudi Arabia respectively.

At the hearing the committee will examine each of the agreements to ensure they align with Australia’s national interests, focusing on key issues such as safety, security, customs and quarantine, and competition law.

The committee will also consider how these agreements could provide opportunities in the trade and tourism sectors between Australia and Colombia, Peru, and Saudi Arabia.

Committee Chair, Lisa Chesters MP, said, "These agreements have significant potential benefits for Australian travellers and Australian businesses through the opening of increased commercial opportunities, particularly in the tourism and export industries."

The committee will hear evidence from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at the public hearing.

Public hearing details

Date: Monday, 27 October 2025
Time: 11:15 am to 1pm AEDT
Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House Canberra

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

ends

TOMORROW (October 28, 2025) the Defence Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will conduct its first public hearing into the Department of Defence Annual Report 2023–24 since the inquiry was re-adopted in the 48^th Parliament.

The Subcommittee will hear evidence from the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) and the Lowy Institute regarding several of the inquiry’s key focus areas:

• Sovereign Defence Industrial Priorities;
• AUKUS;
• Progress on the transformation to an integrated focused force;
• Australian international defence cooperation and competition.

Chair of the Defence Subcommittee, Senator Deborah O’Neill, said, "Given the ongoing relevance and clear public interest in the issues, the Defence Subcommittee has re-adopted the inquiry as an important transparency mechanism for the Parliament to review Defence progress in a number of critical areas.

"The Subcommittee is now looking to deepen inquiry evidence by talking to relevant industry and strategic experts to support Subcommittee inquiry outcomes."

Further information, including the full Terms of Reference, is available on the inquiry webpage.

Public Hearing Details

Date: Tuesday, 28 October 2025
Time: 5.40pm–7.30pm (AEDT)
Location: Committee Room 1R1, Parliament House, Canberra

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

ends