THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) has tabled a report recommending the ratification of three major treaty actions.

These actions are:

• Amendments to Appendices I, II and III of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES Amendments);
• Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union; and
• Exchange of Notes to extend the Exchange of Notes constituting an Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United States of America to Amend and Extend the Agreement concerning the Conduct of Scientific Balloon Flights for Civil Research Purposes of 16 February 2006 (Scientific Balloon Treaty).

CITES is a multilateral environmental agreement that regulates the international trade in wild fauna and flora based on scientific assessments and analysis of international trade data. At the 19th Conference of CITES Parties, decisions affecting more than 500 species of animals and plants were made.

Amendments that have trade implications for Australia include regulation of the pygmy bluetongue lizard, requiem sharks, hammerhead sharks, guitarfish, sea cucumbers, and seven plant species.

Committee Chair, Lisa Chesters MP, said the CITES Amendments ‘"help tackle unregulated wildlife trade and address risks to conservation and animal welfare"

"Australia’s continued participation in CITES facilitates legitimate trade and enhances our relationship with other parties to the convention," Ms Chesters said.

The Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union is a legally binding partnership between Australia and Tuvalu that enhances development, creates human mobility pathways and facilitates cooperation between the two nations on matters related to climate change and regional security. The partnership builds upon the existing relationship between Australia and Tuvalu and advances the national security interests of both nations.

Ms Chesters said, "The treaty elevates Australia’s existing relationship with Tuvalu and improves Australia’s standing in the Pacific through a display of good neighbourliness. This partnership is a signal to both Tuvalu and the broader Pacific of Australia’s commitment to finding solutions to the region’s security challenges."

The Scientific Balloon Treaty extends an agreement between Australia and the United States (US) that allows for the US to continue using existing facilities in Woomera for the launching, tracking, recording and recovery of scientific balloons in Australian territory.

"Cooperation on space-related activities between Australia and the US dates back to 1957 and the extension of this agreement ensures that both countries will continue to reap the benefits. Since 1957, the US has spent over $1 billion on space-related activities in Australia and Australian scientists have contributed to and benefited from the research conducted," Ms Chesters said.

The committee supported ratification and recommended that binding treaty action be taken for all three treaties.

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

Ms Chesters was elected as the new chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties on Monday, August 19. On behalf of the other committee members, Ms Chesters has thanked the previous chair, Josh Wilson MP, "for his stewardship of the committee".

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THE National Redress Scheme Parliamentary Committee will hold a public hearing tomorrow for an inquiry into the National Redress Scheme to hear from the Department of Social Services.

At a public hearing on August 2, the committee heard evidence from survivors who recalled their experiences seeking redress. This evidence has prompted the committee to invite the Department of Social Services to a public hearing to hear their views.

Committee Chair Senator Catryna Bilyk said, "We greatly appreciate the bravery and courage shown by survivors who came forward to tell their stories. We are progressing towards completing the inquiry.

"If you have been thinking of making a submission, you should send it to us soon. You can ask the committee to keep your evidence and your name confidential."

Submissions to the inquiry close on September 2 and the committee is expecting to report in October 2024.

To make a submission or find out more, email the Committee Secretariat at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or check the Committee’s webpage. A discussion paper aims to provide guidance to individuals and organisations interested in making submissions to 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 is also available.

Public hearing details

Wednesday 21 August 2024
8am to around 9am (Canberra time)
Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra

Listen online at www.aph.gov.au/News_and_Events/Watch_Parliament then click on a link marked ‘live streaming’ or visit https://www.youtube.com/@AUSParliamentLive>.

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Trade and Investment Growth will hold a public hearing in Canberra on Friday for its inquiry into the understanding and utilisation of benefits under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).

The committee will hear from Australian Government departments and agencies, including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Austrade, about the government’s role in supporting Australian businesses to enjoy the economic benefits of Australia’s FTAs.

The inquiry is focusing on the level of awareness and uptake of the benefits available under Australia’s FTAs, including the promotion of the benefits of trade, the difficulties faced in accessing the benefits of trade agreements and how the utilisation of trade agreements is measured.

The inquiry is also examining the extent to which regional, diaspora and First Nations communities take advantage of trade opportunities, including through FTAs, and how these communities can be better engaged to build Australia’s trade.

Committee Chair, Steve Georganas MP said, "The committee is looking forward to hearing from government departments and agencies to understand how Australia’s trade and investment activities, including FTAs, can be utilised more effectively to ensure these agreements are of greatest benefit to the Australian community."

Further information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference, published submissions and hearing transcripts, are available on the inquiry webpage.

Public hearing details

Date: Friday, 23 August 2024
Time: 9am to 12.40pm (AEST)
Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra

The hearing will be broadcast live at www.youtube.com/@AUSParliamentLive.

The Committee intends to hold more public hearings in due course.

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THE Australian Constructors Association (ACA) welcomes agreement between the Federal Government and Opposition on the CFMEU Bill, allowing it to be passed into law.

ACA CEO Jon Davies said agreement on the legislation is a welcome first step forward for the industry after the revelations of the last few weeks. 

“Law-abiding unions have an important role to play in the construction industry and the sooner the administrator is able to address all allegations of criminal and coercive behaviour within the CFMEU, the better,” Mr Davies said.

“The ACA is committed to working closely with the administrator to ensure the bill is effectively implemented, but this is only a necessary first step.

“There will be significant work required by the government, industry, clients, the administrator and the unions to make these new arrangements work and to prevent this situation happening again," Mr Davies said.

“We shouldn’t be looking at this simply as a problem that needs to be fixed but rather an opportunity that must be realised.

“This is an opportunity to create an industry that is able to construct the infrastructure Australia needs, when it needs it and for a price it can afford.”

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Chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, Graham Perrett MP, presented the sixth Public Works Committee Report of 2024 to the House of Representatives on August 20.

This report considers three proposals referred to the committee between May and July 2024.

One of the projects, the upgrade of infrastructure and facilities at HMAS Stirling, is expected to cost $738.1 million. From 2027, HMAS Stirling will serve as a base for the Submarine Rotational Force – West (SRF – West), a rotational force of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines from the US and UK under the AUKUS agreement.

During its inquiry, the committee heard serious concerns about the proposed works from community organisations, local government representatives and members of the local community. Some of these concerns—for example, those relating to the AUKUS agreement and the utility of nuclear-powered submarines for Australia—fall outside the scope of the Committee’s inquiry.

The nuclear safety and environmental impact of the project will be subject to separate approval processes under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency. The committee also heard about the impact the proposed works will have on local infrastructure, such as transport and housing, which is already stressed.

Mr Perrett MP said, “The committee urges Defence to provide extensive and genuine consultation opportunities on all issues of concern raised by the community. Defence should continue this consultation during the construction phase and be prepared to adapt its approach to address community concerns.”

A second proposal relates to the fit-out of the new Commonwealth Parliamentary Offices (CPO) at One Festival Tower in Adelaide. The new offices will be larger, and better equipped to handle surge capacity, than the ageing facilities currently located on King William Street. In order to ensure the physical safety of Australia’s parliamentarians, the committee recommended the Australian Federal Police be involved in the ongoing design process of this fit-out, and at an earlier stage in any subsequent CPO fit-outs.

The report also recommended expediency for the Reserve Bank of Australia – Head Office Storage and Logistics Change project.

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TODAY the Senate has taken the critical first step of cleaning up the CFMEU with the passage of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Administration) Bill 2024.

Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn said the building and construction industry is finally on the road to meaningful cultural change.

“The industry has been at a standstill with a great cloud of uncertainty on the current operating environment and the future of the CFMEU," Ms Wawn said.

“We thank the Government and Coalition for working in a bipartisan way to reach an agreement on a series of amendments while not delaying the Bill’s passage beyond this sitting period.

“Our members are intimately familiar with the ingrained culture of lawlessness and thuggery that has plagued the sector for decades.

“We continue to call for increased protections for businesses so they can come forward and provide evidence to the Fair Work Commission without fear of CFMEU retaliation," she said.

“Permanent and lasting change requires long-term regulatory reform. The Federal Government must now move to establish a dedicated building and construction industry watchdog with real teeth.

“Countless Royal Commissions and inquiries have told us that building and construction needs an industry-specific regulator and laws.

“If we don’t learn from history, we will be doomed to repeat it," Ms Wawn said.

“The regulator needs to be home to a dedicated cross-jurisdictional police unit to oversee and coordinate a strong law enforcement presence in the building and construction industry.

“To get it right, it must go further than industrial relations and have oversight on a broader range of matters, including workplace, safety, competition, corporations, governance and training.

“Australians expect a thriving and safe building and construction industry to deliver the roads, hospitals, schools and most importantly housing that they are crying out for.

“Master Builders will continue to work collaboratively with both the Government and Opposition to achieve a strong, safe, and prosperous sector,” Ms Wawn said.

www.masterbuilders.com.au

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“The Housing Industry Association (HIA) commends the bipartisan support shown by both major parties, that has enabled the passage of the CFMEU Administration legislation,” HIA managing director, Jocelyn Martin said today.

HIA members seeking to undertake commercial, multi-unit or government funded work have cited concerns over many years regarding intimidation by the CFMEU and the influence they have on building sites regarding workplace conditions and jobs.

“HIA had called on the governments to act in accordance with the seriousness and gravity of the situation and use the full extent of their legal powers to address these long standing issues," Ms Martin said.
 
“The passage of this legislation provides an important reset in creating cultural change in the industry and sending a clear message that the past conduct and behaviour of the CFMEU is not appropriate and has no place going forward.
 
“There must be zero tolerance for flouting the rule of law on or off construction sites and the appointment of an independent administrator to oversee the CFMEU’s operations is a good first step, but structural change and long term reform is needed to address these issues once and for all,” Ms Martin said.

www.hia.com.au

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THE Australian Defence Force, Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force have announced that today Defence, law enforcement, customs and immigration leaders from across the Pacific will come together for the sixth annual Joint Heads of Pacific Security (JHoPS) meeting.