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Treaties Committee recommends ratification of the World Health Organization’s treaty on global public health emergencies

THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) has tabled a report recommending the ratification of the major treaty action Amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005).

The committee found the amendments to the treaty are aimed at strengthening global preparedness for future pandemics. The amendments will allow the World Health Organization to respond to future pandemics more swiftly and effectively, through the following key measures:

  • A new pandemic emergency declaration mechanism to improve early warning and elevate global attention to emerging health threats;
  • Expanded core capacities, such as measures to combat misinformation and disinformation, and improved access to essential health products for developing countries;
  • Strengthened global health architecture, promoting faster, coordinated international responses and reducing the risk of future pandemics.

Committee Chair Lisa Chesters MP said, "Australia already has strong health systems in place. The real benefit of these amendments lies in helping other countries strengthen their capacity to detect and respond to health threats early. This global cooperation ultimately safeguards Australians and reduces the risk of future pandemics."

The report also contains one minor treaty action relating to the Amendment to the International Tropical Timber Agreement, 2006. The treaty provides a framework for cooperation between tropical timber-producing and -consuming countries in the promotion of sustainable forest management and legal timber trade. The amendment is to extend the treaty until 2029.

The committee supports ratification of the major and minor treaty actions and recommends that binding treaty action be taken.

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

 

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Inquiry into the standing orders relating to petitions

THE Parliament Standing Committee on Petitions has today launched an Inquiry into the standing orders relating to petitions.

The committee will inquire into and report on the work of the Standing Committee on Petitions in the 48th Parliament, including:

  • The suitability of the current provisions of the standing orders governing the form, submission, and consideration of petitions and e-petitions;
  • The impact of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and automated systems, on the integrity and authenticity of the petitions process; and
  • Potential amendments to the standing orders or administrative practices to ensure the petitions process remains accessible, credible, and sustainable.

Chair of the Committee Jodie Belyea MP, said, "Petitions enjoy a long history in the Western parliamentary tradition, dating back to the 12th century. Today, petitions remain one of the few ways for Australians to raise their concerns directly with parliament, and their popularity has only continued to grow.

“The e-petitions system was introduced in 2016 at the start of the 45th Parliament. There has been a remarkable growth in e-petitioning from the days of paper petitions, when fewer than 300 petitions were typically presented over the course of a parliament.

"In the 47th Parliament the number of petitions presented to the parliament was 1,706, with the vast majority of these being e-petitions.  Next year will mark the 10th anniversary of the e-petitions system, and this inquiry is timely."

Submissions from interested individuals and organisations are invited by Friday, February 6, 2026. The preferred method of receiving submissions is by electronic format lodged online using a My Parliament account.

Further information about the committee’s inquiry is available on the committee’s website.

 

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QRC State of the Sector annual lunch and economic contribution report

QUEENSLAND Resources Council (QRC) chief executive officer Janette Hewson will release a key report revealing the resources sector’s economic contribution to Queensland at a major annual industry event in Brisbane tomorrow. 

The 2024-25 financial year report outlines the industry's contribution to the economy, jobs and to local businesses and community organisations across the state. 

QRC will also launch a new industry campaign promoting the importance of the resources sector to Queensland. 

Ms Hewson will address around 850 senior industry and government representatives discussing the report and the challenges and opportunities ahead for the sector.

What: QRC Annual Economic Contribution Report 2024-25
Where: QRC Annual Lunch, Plaza Ballroom, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre 
When: 12.30 - 2.15 pm.

 

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Public Hearing – Defence Annual Report 2023-24: Defence Subcommittee to hear from Defence experts and industry

THIS EVENING (November 25), the Defence Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will hear from Dr John Coyne and Ms Raelene Lockhorst on behalf of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, and Mr David Goodrich OAM on behalf of Anduril as part of its inquiry into the Department of Defence Annual Report 2023–24.

The subcommittee will discuss uncrewed and autonomous systems and their integration into the Joint Force, Defence estate, security and resilience, and Australian international defence cooperation and competition.

Chair of the Defence Subcommittee, Senator Deborah O’Neill, said, ‘This will be the last scheduled hearing the subcommittee will hold for its inquiry into the Defence Annual Report 2023-24. It will be an opportunity to gain final insights from both defence experts and industry which will be used to inform the Subcommittee’s recommendations."

‘This inquiry has been a valuable opportunity to support the critical work of the Department of Defence in safeguarding the nation," she said.

‘The subcommittee appreciates the support of Defence, academia, industry and members of the Australian public who have contributed to the inquiry."

Further information, including the full Terms of Reference, is available on the inquiry webpage.

Public Hearing Details

Date: Tuesday, 25 November 2025
Time: 5.40pm–7.30pm (AEDT)
Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra.

 

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2025 My First Speech winners come to Canberra

THE winners of the My First Speech competition will be visiting Canberra next week to have their say.

The competition asks secondary school students to imagine themselves as a newly elected Member of the House of Representatives and to write a 90 second or 300-word speech about an issue they are passionate about.

The judges for the 2025 competition were the Speaker of the House, Milton Dick MP, the Member for Bass, Jess Teesdale MP, the Member for Hinkler, David Batt MP and the Member for Fowler, Dai Le MP.

This year’s winning speeches were about better access to physical and mental health care in regional areas, organ donation and holistic education. The winners will travel to Canberra to deliver their speeches live at an award ceremony in Parliament House on Wednesday (November 26) to be hosted by the Speaker.

"The My First Speech Competition is a fantastic way for our future leaders to get involved in democracy and speak about the issues that are important to them," Speaker Milton Dick said.

"It is so important that we continue to look for these opportunities to give our young Australians the opportunity to engage with our Parliament. Hearing their voices and views is the sign of a vibrant and healthy democracy – something I am so passionate about."

Video footage of the winners’ speeches will be available on the House of Representatives YouTube channel after the ceremony.

Event details

My First Speech event
Wednesday 26 November, 12pm to 12.45pm
Presiding Officers Exhibition Area,1st floor public area (near the post office)
Parliament House, Canberra.

 

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