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Govt wants to know people's experiences of the 2025 Federal Election

THE Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters in now inviting submissions to its inquiry into the 2025 Federal Election.

In keeping with previous parliaments, the committee has been asked to undertake a review of the last federal election.

Jerome Laxale MP, Committee Chair, said, ‘The inquiry plays an important role in ensuring the Australian public have their say in how their elections are run.

"We have one of the oldest and most respected democracies on earth. Keeping that standard requires ongoing scrutiny."

Matters widely reported during the 2025 election raise serious questions about safety, security and voter experience. Voters, volunteers and officials should never feel intimidated, harassed or have such an experience that they are discouraged from participating at future elections.’

The terms of reference of the inquiry call on the committee to focus its attention on the following emerging issues:

  • assessment and review of the purported increase in incidents of aggressive conduct, deliberate obstruction, and intimidating behaviour towards voters, political participants, volunteers, and Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) officials;
  • potential reform of safety and security arrangements, including consideration of the powers, processes, and capacity of the AEC to manage and address increasingly threatening or disruptive behaviour;
  • reforms to address the ongoing threats of interference in our electoral system, both foreign and domestic; and
  • the composition of the Parliament as a whole; including the length of the parliamentary term, the potential for fixed terms, and the number of elected representatives relative to the growth in population and the electorate.

The full terms of reference for the inquiry are also available on the inquiry webpage.

Submissions addressing any or all of the terms of reference are now invited, prior to the committee commencing public hearings in mid-October.

The committee will further announce its program of public hearings as the inquiry progresses. All relevant information will be available from the committee website.

 

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Parliamentary Committee reviews proposed Infrastructure Department office fit-out

THE Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sports and the Arts’ (the Department) Proposed Fit-out of New Leased Premises at 7 London Circuit, Canberra City will be reviewed by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works at a public hearing on September 4, 2025.

The proposed works to install an office fit-out to the department’s new leased premises at 7 London Circuit are proposed on a short timeframe to meet leasing requirements with a total estimated cost of $32.5 million.

Tony Zappia MP, Chair of the Committee, said, ‘The public hearing will provide the committee with an opportunity to consider the stated purpose, need and value for money of the proposed works.

"The hearing is taking place before the close of the public submission period to allow for the committee to consider the works in the most expeditious fashion to reduce any further cost to the Commonwealth from delays to the process."

The committee will hear from relevant officers from the department at the public hearing. Interested members of the public are encouraged to listen in to the public hearing via the APH website.

Public hearing details

Date: Thursday, 4 September 2025
Time: 7:50am – 8:20am (AEST)
Location: Committee Room 1R1, Parliament House, Canberra

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live

Note: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works is not involved in the tendering process, awarding of contracts or details of the proposed works. Enquiries on these matters should be directed to the relevant Commonwealth entities.

 

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Defence Annual Report 2023-24 new inquiry by Joint Standing Committee on Defence

THE Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade has adopted a new inquiry into the Department of Defence Annual Report 2023–24. This will resume the inquiry commenced by the committee prior to the 2025 federal election.

Chair of the Defence Subcommittee, Senator Deborah O’Neill, said, "During the last Parliament, the subcommittee received many submissions addressing the inquiry, particularly relating to Sovereign Defence Industrial Priorities. Given the importance of the issues, the committee intends to complete the inquiry into the Department of Defence Annual Report 2023–24 in the early stages of this new Parliamentary term."

Key themes of the inquiry’s focus include:

  • Sovereign Defence Industrial Priorities;
  • Defence Estate, Security and Resilience;
  • AUKUS;
  • Uncrewed/Autonomous Systems and their integration into the Joint Force;
  • Progress on the transformation to an integrated focused force;
  • Australian international defence cooperation and competition;
  • Other issues as communicated to Defence.

Submissions and evidence related to this inquiry that were received by the committee in the 47th Parliament have been made available to the new committee. This means that submissions related to this inquiry that have already been provided to the committee do not need to be re-submitted.

The Subcommittee is now inviting written submissions by Friday, October 10, 2025.

 

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Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee commences new work program

THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) this week convened for the new 48th Parliament and adopted a work program that includes several new inquiries.

The committee has invited invites public submissions on the following reviews:

  • Review of the listing of Terrorgram as a terrorist organisation under the Criminal Code Act 1995; submissions due by September 10, 2025;
  • Review of the Strengthening Oversight of the National Intelligence Community Bill 2025; submissions due by September 25, 2025;
  • Review of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2025; submissions due by October 9, 2025.

Committee Chair Senator Raff Ciccone, re-elected to lead the PJCIS, said the committee was eager to return to its important oversight role.

‘The committee is pleased to be back to work and encourages submissions from individuals and organisations on these important matters," Senator Ciccone said.

"Each of these reviews proposes important measures aimed at strengthening the legal and operational framework of Australia’s national security," he said.

Further details on each review, including submission guidelines and deadlines, are available on the committee’s website: aph.gov.au/pjcis.

 

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Treaties Committee to examine Nauru-Australia Treaty at public hearing

THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties held a public hearing today for its inquiry into the Nauru-Australia Treaty.

The Treaty enhances cooperation between Australia and Nauru in relation to strengthening Nauru’s economy, security and social resilience. The agreement also enables mutual agreement and consultation on Nauru’s partnerships including in the areas of security, telecommunications and banking.

Committee Chair, Lisa Chesters MP, said, "As Pacific partners, Australia and Nauru have shared close relations for many years in trade, investment and security. This agreement affirms Australia’s position as Nauru’s primary security and development assistance partner and is evidence of our bilateral relationship, shared history and cultural affinity.

"This Treaty follows other agreements with Nauru and similar treaties with Pacific nations, like the 2024 Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union. Alongside increasing collaboration with Nauru, the agreement reinforces Australia’s commitment to developing and supporting the Pacific region and its security, stability and resilience," Ms Chesters said.

The committee heard evidence from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at the public hearing.

Public hearing details

Date: Monday, 25 August 2025
Time: 11am to 12.30pm AEST
Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House Canberra

The hearing was broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

 

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