ON MARCH 26, the Chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, Graham Perrett MP, presented the Eighty Seventh Annual Report to the House of Representatives.
The report contains a recommendation for reform of the committee’s foundation legislation.
The Public Works Committee was established in 1913. While it has provided parliamentary scrutiny of Commonwealth expenditure and ensured public value of proposed works, the government procurement and construction environment has evolved significantly in the last century.
Mr Perrett said, "A full review of the Public Works Committee legislation, with a view to repealing and replacing the current Act, would ensure the Committee can continue to provide effective oversight of government expenditure".
The annual report is a statutory requirement of the committee. It also includes statistics on inquiries, hearings and medium works for 2023.
For more information about this committee, visit its website.
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THE Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters has commenced an inquiry into civics education, engagement, and participation in Australia, and is seeking written submissions in response to the Terms of Reference by Friday, May 24.
The committee is particularly interested in hearing from people with direct experience of civics and citizenship education and challenges associated with electoral participation. This includes students and teachers, young people, First Nations peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, civic and educational organisations, and people in regional, rural, and remote areas.
Committee Chair, Kate Thwaites MP, said, "In a time when we’re seeing challenges for democracies across the world, and a rise in mis- and disinformation, it’s important that every Australian has the opportunity to be informed about and engaged in our democracy.
"The committee wants to hear Australians’ experiences of civics education, and what we can do better to support democratic engagement and participation.
"So many young Australians are passionate about social and political issues, but they may not have access to relevant and reliable information about democratic and electoral processes.
"The diversity of cultures, languages, and life experiences within Australia means we need to ensure access to relevant, digestible, and accurate information about our democracy. This includes for First Nations peoples, people in remote areas and CALD communities."
The committee intends to present a final report for the inquiry by the end of 2024.
Further information about the inquiry is available on the inquiry website.
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THE House Standing Committee on Economics will hold public hearings in the Moreton Bay and Logan regions (Queensland) and the Northern Rivers (New South Wales) on April 9–11 as part of its inquiry into insurers’ responses to 2022 major floods claims.
Committee Chair, Daniel Mulino MP, said the inquiry had heard from regulators, insurance companies and consumer advocacy, and legal rights groups.…
THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Education, and Training has today presented the report of its inquiry into the perceptions and status of vocational education and training (VET).
Committee Chair, Lisa Chesters MP said, "High-quality VET is crucial to skilling Australians for an increasingly dynamic economy and labour market. Unfortunately, many people do not fully…
THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will hold two public hearings today for its inquiries into the Second Protocol to Amend the Agreement Establishing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) (AANZFTA Second Protocol) and the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks (the Nairobi Convention).
The second public hearing to be held by the Committee on the…
THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport will examine local government sustainability in a new inquiry launched today.
Chair of the Committee, Luke Gosling OAM, MP, said, "The committee has prioritised a deeper understanding of local government financial sustainability and funding frameworks, alongside the changing infrastructure…
THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security today presented its Advisory Report on the National Security Legislation Amendment (Comprehensive Review and Other Measures No. 3) Bill 2023.
The Bill implements 12 recommendations of the 2020 Comprehensive Review of the Legal Framework of the National Intelligence Community conducted by Dennis Richardson AC (Comprehensive Review).…
THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) has expanded an existing inquiry examining the previous government’s failed attempts to privatise the visa processing system and deliver new IT systems in Home Affairs, to examine public sector IT projects more widely.
Committee Chair, Julian Hill MP, said, "Lessons must be drawn from both stages of the failed attempt to privatise and…
THE Health, Aged Care and Sport Committee will hold a public hearing at Parliament House in Canberra as part of its inquiry into diabetes this Friday, March 22.
The committee will hear from a variety of pharmaceutical companies and manufacturers, including Dexcom/AMSL Diabetes, Eli Lilly Australia, Medtronic and Insulet Australia, who provide life-saving diabetes medications and equipment. The…
THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties has tabled a report recommending the ratification of the two treaty actions related to the Universal Postal Union.
THE Compensation Scheme of Last Resort (CSLR) has determined the estimates for the 1st and 2nd levy periods that will fund claims from eligible consumers who have been the victims of financial misconduct.
As outlined in the legislation for the CSLR, the 1st levy period will be funded by the Australian Government and the 2nd levy period by the sub-sectors of the financial services industry that…