THE Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs is starting its interstate public hearings in Sydney this week for its inquiry into racism, hate and violence directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The first hearing will be held in Sydney on Friday, May 1 and will bring together a broad range of organisations, researchers, community leaders and advocates to provide evidence to the committee.

Witnesses scheduled to appear include national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education and academic experts, and veterans’ representatives.

Following recent events at ANZAC day commemorations, the final session of the day will hear evidence from Reverand Dr Ray Minniecon and the RSL NSW acting president, retired Brigadier Vince Williams. This will focus on the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander veterans.

Committee Chair, Mutthi Mutthi and Wamba Wamba woman Senator Jana Stewart, said, “These hearings provide an important opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, organisations, researchers and advocates to share their experiences and insights directly with the committee.

“Racism, hate and violence have real and lasting impacts. Hearing firsthand evidence is essential to understanding the scale and nature of the problem and identifying meaningful responses.”

The inquiry is examining the prevalence, impacts and drivers of racism, hate and violence, as well as existing responses and opportunities for reform. Evidence gathered during the hearings will inform the committee’s final report to Parliament.

Further interstate public hearings will continue in other locations as part of the inquiry.

Information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and how to contribute, is available on the committee’s website.

The committee and secretariat have advised they are unable to provide counselling, advice, or support for individuals. Help is available:

For First Nations people:

• 13YARN: 13 92 76
• Brother to Brother: 1800 435 799
• Yarning SafeNStrong: 1800 959 563

For all people:

• Lifeline: Call 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
• MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978
• Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800
• Headspace: 1800 650 890
• Suicide Call Back Service:1300 659 467
• 1800 Respect: 1800 737 732

ends

SMALL-TO-MEDIUM arts organisations along with peak bodies are giving evidence next Monday at public hearing roundtables to discuss boosting arts and cultural philanthropy.

Chair of the House Standing Committee on Communications, the Arts and Sport, Susan Templeman MP, said, “Small-to-medium arts organisations are an essential part of our cultural sector. They nurture talent, build careers and provide transformative opportunities for creatives.

“Public funding should provide a bedrock of support for small to medium organisations, but we also don’t want them to miss out on the opportunity to access philanthropic support.

“Hearing from these organisations along with the peak bodies that represent them will ensure that their experiences are front and centre when considering how to boost Australia’s philanthropic giving.”

Public hearing details are below, along with the full terms of reference available on the inquiry webpage.

More information about the committee, including membership, may be found on the Committee’s website.

Public hearing details

Date: Monday, 4 May 2026
Time: 10am – 1pm (Canberra time)
Location: Committee Room 2R2, Parliament House, Canberra

Watch on YouTube @AUSParliamentLive or ParlView.

ends

HOUSING Industry Association (HIA) managing director Jocelyn Martin has acknowledged the work performed by Mark Irving KC and his decision to step away from the administration of the CFMEU.

Ms Martin also reiterated HIA's statement reiterating "the importance of maintaining momentum on meaningful, long‑term cultural reforms across the building and construction sector".

“HIA recognises the role the administrator has played in highlighting serious impropriety and governance problems within unionised parts of the industry," Ms Martin said.

“What matters now is ensuring those issues are addressed through durable, system‑wide reform that improves behaviour, productivity and trust.

“HIA emphasises the importance of urgently progressing the National Construction Industry Forum (NCIF) Blueprint for Reform. This Blueprint provides a practical and balanced roadmap through its tripartite membership, which includes HIA, to address poor workplace culture, strengthen compliance and lift standards across the sector," Ms Martin said.

"HIA also welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Amanda Rishworth, of a consultation process on establishing a new Building and Construction Industry Standard, describing it as a significant opportunity to reset expectations across the industry -- if implemented carefully and pragmatically.

“It is critical that any new industry standard supports lawful behaviour, cultural improvement and accountability, without imposing unnecessary barriers on legitimate businesses -- particularly small and medium residential builders and contractors," she said.

“It is particularly important that access to Commonwealth‑funded work is not contingent on employers being covered by enterprise agreements. The housing sector relies heavily on small businesses and subcontractors and reforms must not recreate settings that exclude capable employers or distort competition on Commonwealth‑funded projects.

“The proposed areas of focus for the new Industry Standard -- including removing veto power over subcontractor choice, permanently excluding proven bad actors through fit and proper person tests, improving coordination between regulators, addressing the influence of unlawful intermediaries, strengthening whistleblower protections and improving dispute resolution -- have the potential to drive genuine cultural change if implemented equitably and consistently and appropriately enforced.

“HIA strongly supports measures that stamp out unlawful conduct such as coercion, bribery or misuse of power and return the ‘rule of law’ to construction sites," Ms Martin said.

“Conversely, any reform must not unnecessarily burden compliant businesses doing the right thing, by inadvertently imposing requirements that are not fit for purpose and intended to target systemic bad behaviours.

"The consultation process must be genuine, transparent and nationally consistent, with a strong focus on practical outcomes that improve industry culture while supporting productivity and workforce participation.

“Reform of this scale cannot be symbolic. Getting the next phase of the CFMEU’s administration and implementation of the NCIF Blueprint and industry standard right is essential to restoring confidence, supporting housing supply and ensuring the construction sector remains an attractive place to work and invest,” Ms Martin said.

www.hia.com.au

ends

THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) will hold a public hearing on Wednesday (April 29) as part of its inquiry into the Commonwealth Financial Statements 2023-24 and 2024-25.

Committee Chair Josh Burns MP, said, "This hearing provides the committee an opportunity to examine key themes identified through the Australian National Audit Office’s (ANAO) audit of the Commonwealth Financial Statements.

"Of particular interest to the committee are entity compliance with legislation including section 83 of the Constitution; the IT control environment and best practice in resolving issues; and the increasing use of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, across the public service."

Public hearing details

Date: Wednesday 29 April 2026

Time: 9.30am to 12.30pm (AEST)

Location: 2R1 and online

Witnesses:

• Session 1: Compliance with legislation, including section 83 of the Constitution (9.30am to 10.25am)
  • ANAO
  • Australian Centre for Agricultural Research
  • Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicine Authority
  • Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
  • Services Australia
    
    
• Session 2: IT control environment (10.30am to 11.20am)
  • ANAO
  • Department of Defence
  • Department of Finance
  • NBN Co Limited
    
    
• Session 3: Increasing use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (11.35am to 12.30pm)
  • ANAO
  • Australian Public Service Commission
  • Australian Taxation Office
  • Department of Finance
  • Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
  • Digital Transformation Agency

The hearing will be broadcast live on the Parliament House website at www.aph.gov.au/live.

Details of the inquiry – including the terms of reference and public hearings – will be made available on the Committee website.

ends