ADDRESSING human rights violations with practical and measurable solutions will be the focus of the Human Rights Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT) during its public hearing on Friday,  August 11, in Australian Parliament House.

The subcommittee’s final hearing for the Inquiry into the Rights of Women and Children will discuss potential measures to improve the human rights of women and children globally with stakeholders such as non-government organisations and Australian Government agencies.

Chair of the Human Rights Subcommittee, Maria Vamvakinou MP, Member for Calwell, said, "Throughout this inquiry, the subcommittee has heard evidence about the types and scale of harm being perpetrated against women and children globally. Our final hearing will focus on how the Australian Government can make a practical and measurable difference to the lives of women and children. My fellow subcommittee members and I look forward to discussing potential pathways forward with key stakeholders and experts.”

The subcommittee may accept submissions until the final report is tabled in the Parliament. Submissions containing graphic material will not be accepted to the inquiry. Submissions should be lodged online using a My Parliament account.

Further information in relation to the inquiry is available from the JSCFADT’s website.

Hearing details

Time:            1.30pm to 5pm (AEST)
Venue:         Committee Room 2R1, Australian Parliament House, Canberra
Witnesses: Save the Children
                        Associate Professor Hannah McGlade
                        Harmony Alliance (Social Policy Group)
                        Australian Human Rights Commission
                        Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

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JOB MATCHING platform SEEK, the Business Council of Australia, academic and policy experts, and members of the youth advocacy and entrepreneurship sectors will appear before the Select Committee on Workforce Australia Employment Services at a public hearing in Canberra on Friday, August 11.

The hearing will focus on how the employment services system should support and work with employers, entrepreneurs, and younger people.

Committee Chair, Julian Hill MP, said, “Employment services have failed to meet the needs of employers. Nowhere is this clearer than in the fact that while employers across Australia are crying out for staff, there are now more long-term unemployed people than before the pandemic.

“Mounting evidence suggests the system has a distorted and perverted focus on supply, and not enough on demand. Or in plain English, case managers are too tied up policing unemployed people without enough focus on working with employers and matching people to actual jobs.

“The committee is all ears, keen to hear ideas for reforms to Australia’s employment services system which could boost demand-led solutions, facilitating more effective workforce planning, recruitment, and lasting employment outcomes.

“We are also interested to listen and learn more about SEEK’s submission—which suggests government is unnecessarily duplicating services—and SEEK’s proposal for change.

“Youth specialist services are important and any reforms must consider the unique needs of younger jobseekers and how they engage with services.”

Further information about the inquiry, including Terms of Reference, future public hearings, published submissions and hearing transcripts, is available on the inquiry website.

Public hearing details

Date                11 August 2023
Time               12.45pm – 5.00pm
Location       Committee Room 2S1, Parliament House, Canberra           
Witnesses   SEEK Ltd
                           Dr Ann Nevile
                           Business Council of Australia
                           Australian Entrepreneurs Alliance
                           Paul Ramsay Foundation
                           Australian Youth Affairs Coalition

A live audio broadcast of the hearing will be available via the Parliament’s Watch, Read, Listen website.

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A CONSIDERATION of how best to address workforce shortages in the health care sector will be a focus of the next public hearing of the Joint Standing Committee on Migration.

Committee Chair, Maria Vamvakinou MP, said, "We will be speaking to a range of organisations involved in the provision of health care. Most have made submissions to the inquiry, and we will be exploring with them issues encompassing the attraction and retention of doctors, nurses and other skilled migrants in the sector; the inflexibility, cost and complexity of the existing visa system; and the particular challenges facing those providing health care in rural and remote communities."

The committee will also consider opportunities to make better use of migrant skills, including those who arrive as humanitarian entrants.

"We need to address the underutilisation of the skills of migrants who come to build their lives in our society, and particularly the ways in which they can be better supported to maximise their contribution to our nation," Ms Vamvakinou said.

At the hearing, the committee will take the opportunity to further explore broader challenges in the migration system with the Migration Institute of Australia and the work of their members in providing advice to migrants.

This will be followed by a discussion with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) and their regulatory role in both protecting migrants who require immigration advice and in ensuring the integrity of the migration advice industry.

The full hearing program is available on the inquiry website.

Hearing details

Monday, 14 August 2023 – 10am to 4.20pm – Videoconference.

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water will hold a public hearing for its inquiry into plastic pollution in Australia’s oceans and waterways in Canberra on Friday, August 11.

The hearing on Friday will hear from representatives from the retail and manufacturing sectors, not-for-profit sectors and the government. The evidence will build on evidence previously heard by the committee when it held hearings and inspected a range of sites around Australia in late June.

Chair of the Committee, Tony Zappia MP said, "The committee looks forward to hearing from groups such as the Australian Food and Grocery Council, the Australian Retailers Association and the Australian Beverage Council, who will be able to provide a design and manufacturing perspective on plastic pollution.

“The committee is concerned to hear that Australia is expected to increase its level of plastic consumption, and groups such as WWF Australia and the Australian Marine Conservation Society have provided a range of recommendations which the committee will explore in more detail at the hearing.” Mr Zappia said. 

The program for Friday’s hearing is:

Interested parties can view or listen to the proceedings on the Parliament of Australia website.

Further information about the committee’s inquiry, including terms of reference and submissions received is available on its website.

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THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has launched a new inquiry into the effectiveness of policy and program planning, design and implementation in meeting government objectives.

This inquiry will consider the issues captured in six recent reports of the Auditor-General that have evaluated different policies and programs delivered by a variety of Commonwealth agencies:

• No. 6 (2022-23) Implementation of the Export Control Legislative Framework, particularly chapter 4 on performance monitoring and reporting
• No. 10 (2022-23) Expansion of Telehealth Services
• No. 16 (2022-23) Management of Migration to Australia — Family Migration Program
• No. 17 (2022-23) Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s cultural reform
• No. 39 (2022–23) Implementation of the government response to the Black Economy Taskforce
• No.42 (2022–23) Access and Participation Programs for Regional and Remote Students.

The terms of reference for the inquiry can be found at the inquiry website.

Committee Chair, Julian Hill MP, said, "Policy development and program design are core business for the Australian Public Service (APS) in fulfilling its role in advising Ministers and governments and implementing new laws and policies.

“The APS does some terrific work in policy development but there are clearly areas for improvement. The committee invites submissions from anyone with an interest in how policy formulation and implementation can be improved.

“This inquiry is also timely given the increasing complexity of the challenges that Australian policymakers are grappling with. The committee looks forward to having robust discussions with a range of Commonwealth entities and experts.”

The committee invites submissions to the inquiry addressing the terms of reference to be received by Friday, September 22, 2023.

Details of the inquiry including upcoming public hearings will be made available on the inquiry website.

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A PARLIAMENTARY committee inquiring into the operation of the National Redress Scheme is continuing to look closely into a range of areaS. These include: The experience of First Nations applicants and applicants with disability in their dealings with the Scheme; and accessibility, performance and effectiveness of support services and legal advice for survivors and their advocates.

While the committee inquiry continues to explore the issues raised, examples of matters brought to the Committee’s attention include:

• Barriers and complications experienced when accessing the scheme, such as with language, communication and cultural safety.
• The need for increased resources for redress legal services and counselling support services to better meet demand and reduce long waiting periods.
• Concerns regarding delays processing applications, the consistency of redress outcomes and the transparency of decisions.

About the inquiry

Full details of what the inquiry is examining can be found in the terms of reference on the committee’s website. An easy English guide to making a submission is also available.

Senator Catryna Bilyk, Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Implementation of the National Redress Scheme, said, "The committee has received important evidence to date, and we thank those people who have come forward to share with us this valuable information. We are committed to continuing our inquiry into any issues that people wish to raise about the operation of the National Redress Scheme."

The National Redress Scheme was established in response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The committee’s role is to oversee implementation of the Royal Commission’s redress-related recommendations.

More information about the inquiry is available on the Committee’s webpage.

Submissions

The committee started the inquiry and called for submissions in December 2022.

The committee has received around 31 submissions. While submissions were encouraged by February 27, 2023, the committee is continuing to consider new submissions.

Those who would like to make a submission, or find out more, can email the Committee Secretariat at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

A discussion paper aims to provide guidance to individuals and organisations interested in making submissions to the inquiry.

Public hearings

The committee has held three public hearings.

The inquiry has heard from a range of organisations that offer advice and support to anyone seeking redress, including many National Redress Scheme Support Services.

The Department of Social Services has given evidence about their role in administering the scheme.

Transcripts of public hearings can be viewed here.

Senator Bilyk said, "The committee has heard compelling evidence about the experiences of victims and survivors. Drawing on the evidence received during this inquiry, the committee is looking to identify possible recommendations to improve the Redress Scheme.

"We would like to hear a range of perspectives. Further public hearings are planned to hear from more witnesses."

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Trade and Investment Growth has launched an inquiry into the approach adopted by the Australian Government when negotiating trade and investment agreements.

The inquiry will focus on how the Australian Government develops a negotiating mandate and framework that reflects whole of government priorities, as well as priorities for State and Territory Governments, businesses and workers, including processes for consultation. It will also consider how to ensure agreements advance Australia’s national and cultural interests, and that First Nations Australians can participate and benefit in trade.

Committee Chair, Steve Georganas MP said, “Trade agreements serve an important role in creating well-paid, secure jobs, improving our economic resilience and increasing the living standards for Australians.

“The committee wants to hear from businesses, workers, industry associations and other interested parties from across the community to understand how the approach taken to negotiating trade and investment agreements could be improved to ensure these agreements are of greatest benefit to the Australian community.”

The  committee is seeking submissions from interested individuals, businesses and organisations on the inquiry’s terms of reference by Friday, September 22, 2023.

Further information about the inquiry, including published submissions and hearing transcripts, will be available on the inquiry webpage.

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MAJOR CHANGES are needed to procurement committing tens of billions of dollars every year, a new report by the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) has recommended.

Procurement is big business: over $80 billion in 2021-22, awarding more than 90,000 contracts to more than 12,000 businesses. Yet agencies systemically fail to comply with the rules and demonstrate value for money, lack compliance with ethical requirements, and demonstrate poor record keeping and contract management, according to the JCPAA.

Chair of the JCPAA, Julian Hill MP, said, “Put plainly, the Commonwealth has serious commitment issues with respect to procurement. Public servants need to get far more comfortable and skilled in sharpening their pencils on suppliers, even if this leads to difficult conversations and rejection.

“Action is needed to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not being wasted as a consequence of poor public sector procurement practices.”

"When departments and agencies conduct procurements using taxpayer money, they should be able to demonstrate that money was spent effectively and appropriately."

Big winners from limited competition include the five biggest consulting firms (Accenture, KPMG, Deloitte, PwC and Ernst & Young) which secured nearly $2 billion in government contracts in the 2021-22 financial year, comprising more than $1.6 billion in new contracts as well as more than $300 million in contract variations or extensions.

The report makes 19 recommendations to the audited entities and to the Department of Finance, aimed at improving procurement standards in the public service, and also improving Finance’s ability as a regulator. These include:

• Panels are stifling competition and value for money: A growing share of procurement is occurring from suppliers listed on Panels. Yet too often Panels are limiting competition and value for money, particularly advantaging the ‘Big Five’ consulting firms. Rules should make clear that: sole sourcing is not cool and multiple quotes should be obtained; a separate value for money assessment must still be undertaken; and panels should be refreshed more often.
• Fixing up AusTender: It should be made clear how many quotes were sought, even when procuring from a panel, and why a contract was amended or varied.
• Take a broader view: Procurement is more than a ‘conveyor belt moving Commonwealth money out and goods and services in’. Modern professional practices are needed – more active management of key supply chains and markets to maximise value for money.
• Value for money always: Things may be urgent – but value for money and record keeping requirements still apply.
• Internal scrutiny: Internal Audit Committees should increase their scrutiny of procurement controls, and provide more assurance over major, complex or risky procurements.
• One rule for all: All Commonwealth Corporate entities should be subject to the CPRs, reversing the current onus which sees entities like the NDIA excluded.
• Re-professionalising procurement: Finance must address the lack of procurement expertise and capability within the Australian Public Service (APS) by prioritising the development of a procurement professional stream in the APS, and by updating the procurement framework to match the development the procurement profession has undergone outside the public sector in recent years.
• Finance needs to lead: Finance is the system steward and regulator. To be effective, Finance needs to know what’s happening in the system.

The audit reports inquired into by the Committee are linked below:

• No. 6 (2021-22) Management of the Civil Maritime Surveillance Services Contract
• No. 15 (2021-22) Department of Defence’s Procurement of Six Evolved Cape Class Patrol Boats
• No. 30 (2021-22) Procurement of the National Capital Authority
• No. 42 (2021-22) Procurement of Delivery Partners for the Entrepreneurs’ Programme
• No. 5 (2022-23) Digital Transformation Agency’s Procurement of ICT Related Services

The report is available on the committee’s website.

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