THE Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Bill 2016 proposes to establish the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility which would provide up to $5 billion in concessional financial assistance to infrastructure projects that promote the economic development of Northern Australia.

The Facility is designed to supplement State and Territory Government and private sector investment and to target projects that would be significantly delayed, or not be built, without financial assistance from the Commonwealth.

A copy of the Bill is available at:
http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5631

Written submissions are being invited from interested individuals and organisations to be received by 5pm Thursday, March 31, 2016. Guidance on preparing a submission is available on the Committee’s website at www.aph.gov.au/jscna.

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THE Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and Treasury will give evidence tomorrow to the House Tax Committee on options for more efficient scrutiny of the ATO.

The ATO’s scrutineers include the Auditor-General, the Inspector-General of Taxation, the Ombudsman, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, and parliamentary committees. Complaints about tax administration were transferred from the Ombudsman to the Inspector-General on 1 May 2015.

The Commissioner of Taxation, Mr Chris Jordan AO, has publicly stated that the ATO may be subject to excessive scrutiny and that its scrutineers could be more “forward looking”.

Mr Jordan has stated that, over the past five years, the ATO has undergone 51 reviews producing 6300 pages of reports and almost 350 recommendations.

At the hearing, the ATO is expected to outline its proposals for more efficient scrutiny that maintains confidence in the tax system.

Committee Chair Bert van Manen said, “The ATO is an important agency within government and needs to be scrutinised. However, innovation should be supported and agencies are under constant pressure to be more efficient. I look forward to discussing the ATO’s proposals with them.”

Public hearing program
4.10 pm to 5 pm
Wednesday, 16 March 2016
Committee Room 2R1
Parliament House, Canberra

Witnesses: ATO and Treasury

To watch the hearing: go to www.aph.gov.au/News_and_Events/Watch_Parliament.

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AN OUTSTANDING group of young agricultural scientists and economists, representing six countries across the Indo-Pacific region, met today with the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade’s Foreign Affairs and Aid Sub-Committee in Canberra.

As part of its inquiry into the role of development partnerships in agriculture and agribusiness in promoting prosperity, reducing poverty and enhancing stability in the Indo‑Pacific region, the Sub-Committee heard from the ten recipients of the 2016 John Dillon Memorial Fellowships.

Sub-Committee Chair the Hon Dr Sharman Stone MP said that the Fellowships are provided by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) as part of the Australia Awards and recognise the late Professor John Dillon, who was one of Australia's leading agricultural economists and a strong advocate of international agricultural research and collaboration.

“As part of a six-week leadership development program, the Fellows will draw on Australia’s experience in agricultural research management, agricultural policy and extension technologies, and take the lessons they’ve learnt back to their home countries,” Dr Stone said.

“I am delighted the Sub-Committee had an opportunity to speak to these talented agricultural research experts from across our region, to tap into their own views on key development challenges facing their countries and how Australian aid can be delivered more effectively to meet these challenges.”

Dr Stone also said that it was particularly pleasing to see that four of this year’s Fellows are women given that, while agricultural research has traditionally been a male-dominated field, the growing of food globally is largely in the hands of women. 

“The Sub-Committee appreciated hearing their unique perspectives and insights into gender issues in their home countries, especially on addressing existing barriers to women’s proper pay and entitlements to land in the agriculture sector,” Dr Stone said.

The 2016 John Dillon Fellows come from Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea and Vietnam.  Their program includes opportunities to connect with Australians working in similar fields, with visits to agricultural industries and research collaborators also in Tasmania and the Northern Territory.

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A MORE CO-ORDINATED and integrated approach to the development and application of smart ICT to infrastructure is one of the key recommendations to Government in a report released today by the House of Representatives Committee on Infrastructure, Transport and Cities.

Committee Chair, Mr John Alexander MP, said the report on the role of Smart ICT in the design and planning of infrastructure revealed Smart ICT has the capacity to transform the design, construction and management of infrastructure assets, the management and use of existing assets, and the operation of transport, communications, energy and utility systems.

“These technologies are transformational with the capacity to dramatically increase the productivity of the Australian economy,” Mr Alexander said.

“In order to achieve this, however, governments and industry must be aware of the potential of smart ICT, and must invest in the technologies, skills and systems to make the transformation a reality.”

The central recommendation of the report is the formation of a Smart Infrastructure Task Force—based on the UK model—to provide national coordination between governments, industry and researchers.

The Committee has also recommended that:

• The Smart Infrastructure Task Force be given responsibility for the national coordination of protocols and standards relating to infrastructure data and the development of an objects library.
• The National Archives of Australia be given the resources to oversee the development of a whole-of-government infrastructure data strategy.
• Government gives greater recognition to the capacity of new technologies and systems to enhance the operation of emergency management and disaster planning and remediation.
• Government recognizes public safety communications systems as critical infrastructure.

A copy of the report can be obtained from the committee’s website or from the secretariat on (02) 6277 2352.

The Committee’s webpage.

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THE Parliamentary Trade and Investment Growth Committee will conclude it public hearings in Canberra on Thursday, 17 March 2016 as part of the Inquiry into Australia’s Future in Research and Innovation.

The Committee is investigating how the research and innovation sector can better assist in overcoming Australia’s geographic, economic, and labour challenges, with a focus on commercialisation including, how technology imports and exports could be further facilitated.

The hearing will focus on university education and medical research, and intellectual property protection with the appearance of university peak bodies: Universities Australia, Group of Eight Australia, and Rural Universities Network, followed by the National Health and Medical Research Council, and IP Australia.

The Chair of the Committee, Mr Ken O’Dowd MP said, "There should be a seamless progression from research-generated innovation through to intellectual property protection and commercialisation benefiting the wider Australian community.”

“Universities have an important role in creating people skilled in science, technology, engineering and mathematics who are needed to create and develop the innovative ideas necessary to drive a modern economy.”

“Australia excels in medical research and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is a key funding agency. Much of the innovation generated through those NHMRC grants may need intellectual property protection so that the organisations and companies undertaking the research can retain the full benefits generated through their efforts,” Mr O’Dowd said.

Date: Thursday 17 March 2016, 9.00 am – 10.30 am.
Location: Committee Room 1R6, Parliament House, Canberra.

More information is available at: www.aph.gov.au/ResearchandInnovation

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IDENTIFYING innovative funding and financing opportunities will be one of the issues canvassed by the government agency responsible for infrastructure when they appear before the inquiry into the role of transport connectivity on stimulating development and economic activity in Canberra on Tuesday.

Chair of the House of Representatives Infrastructure, Transport and Cities Committee, Mr John Alexander MP, said the Committee looked forward to hearing from the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development, particularly on how value capture mechanisms can generate new partial funding streams.

“Funding and financing of infrastructure is an essential part of the planning process, particularly in its impact on transport connectivity,” Mr Alexander said.

“It is no longer possible for governments – state or federal – to be the sole funder of transport infrastructure and it is important to explore financing options for infrastructure that are more efficient and spread the cost fairly.

“By generating new partial funding streams through value capture, it could allow governments to deliver infrastructure projects ahead of schedule.”

Mr Alexander also said that in its submission, the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development emphasised the need for an integrated land use and infrastructure planning approach, which the Committee looked forward to exploring in further detail.

Hearing details
Date: Tuesday, 15 March 2016
Time: 5.40 - 6.30 pm
Witnesses: Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development
Venue: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra
The public hearing will be webcast live at http://www.aph.gov.au/live

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts will hear from the Department of Communications and the Arts and the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) at a hearing in Canberra for its inquiry into broadcasting, online content and live production to rural and regional Australia.

Committee Chairman, the Hon Bronwyn Bishop MP, said the Committee has heard from a range of media and arts groups at its recent hearings, and now looks forward to receiving evidence from these key government agencies about their important policy, funding and regulatory roles.

“The Department of Communications and the Arts plays an important role in policy setting, and providing funding for public broadcasters and subsidies for the arts,” Mrs Bishop said.

“ACMA, which is responsible for the regulation of broadcasting, the internet, radio communications and telecommunications, will appear with the Department to provide information on broadcasting to rural and regional Australia. In its 2013 investigation into local content, ACMA found that local content is important and valued by regional Australians.”

Public hearing details:
Date: Tuesday, 15 March 2016
Time: 3.40pm to 5.00pm
Location: Committee Room 1R2, Parliament House, Canberra
Live webcast (audio only)

For further background information on the inquiry and Committee, please visit the Committee website www.aph.gov.au/communications 

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STATEMENT from Townsville Enterprise Chair Kevin Gill:

The continuing blame game and excuses put forward today are just not good enough.

QNI Resources Pty Ltd and QNI Metals Pty Ltd made the decision to take back control by appointing Queensland Nickel Sales and to revoke the authority of the Administrators.  QN Sales must therefore outline the actions it will be taking to employ personnel, obtain the necessary agreements and licences it needs and to secure ore supply to recommence operating.

It is time for QN Sales to step up and clearly explain to employees and the community what plans will be put in place for the future of the Yabulu nickel refinery.

"In addition, fast, decisive action by the Federal and State Governments, acting in a coordinated way, is what is needed now.

Together with the Chamber of Commerce and Region Councils Townsville Enterprise has presented both State and Federal Governments with projects that, with an injection of funds and more supportive policy settings, will create jobs, boost confidence and set the foundation for long term economic growth.

State Government

• Announce an immediate boost to funding for the Integrated Stadium and Entertainment Centre ($100M already committed to a $380M project)
• Expedite the mining lease for the Adani Carmichael Coal Mine and Rail project to start activity in the Galilee Basin
• Fast track the Ergon/Energex merger and relocation to Townsville
• Boost edutourism funding to take advantage of the development of a new export opportunity
• Support the development of PNG and Auckland flights to boost tourism, trade and commerce
• Fund the business case for the Townsville Eastern Access Rail Corridor

Federal Government

• Match funding with the State Government to complete the $380M Integrated  Stadium and Entertainment Centre
  • Base the headquarters of the $5B Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility in Townsville – the   business centre of Northern Australia
    • Fund road and rail projects to improve supply chains for agribusiness, cattle and mining industries
  • Announce that the  Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia will be headquartered in Townsville
  • Award funding from the $25M National Water Infrastructure Fund to Townsville Enterprise for feasibility studies into raising the Burdekin Dam and the new dam at Hells Gate

These projects are not new, Governments are well aware of their benefits and right now this region needs a shot in the arm of confidence and that will come, through action on these projects. - Kevin Gill.

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