THE Electoral Matters Committee will continue its program of public hearings as part of the review into the 2025 Federal Election.

On October 31 in Canberra, the committee will hear from several stakeholders in its election review, including the Electoral Integrity Assurance Taskforce, Global Shield Australia and Prof Kim Rubenstein.

On November 7 in Canberra, the committee will hear from political participants; including members and senators.

The committee will begin interstate hearings later this year and early into next year, starting with dates in Melbourne (Kew Court House on November 12) and Bendigo (All Seasons Resort Hotel on November 13).

Committee Chair, Jerome Laxale MP said, "We are keen to hear views from voters and other election participants as we visit places around Australia. We encourage anyone who is interested in speaking with the Committee on 12 or 13 November to register their interest as soon as possible. Information is available from the committee website."

Mr Laxale said, "Now that hearings are underway, we are also keen to get as many written submissions into the public domain as possible — while late submissions can be accepted, we hope that the majority of individuals and organisations can get their views to us by November 14."

In the meantime, the committee has commenced closely reviewing the submissions provided to date, and is publishing them on the inquiry webpage.

"The committee has given careful consideration to ensuring that people can freely express their views, while also balancing the implications of adversely naming specific individuals or candidates," Mr Laxale said.

Further information on the 2025 election inquiry can be found at the inquiry webpage. Committee details can be found at the Committee’s webpage.

Public hearing details

Date: Friday, 31 October 2025
Time: 9am to 3.30pm
Location: Committee Room 1R4, Parliament House, Canberra

9am–9.30am:        Global Shield Australia
9.30am–10am:      Professor Kim Rubenstein
10am–11am:    Electoral Integrity Assurance Taskforce
11am–11.15 am:    Break
11.15 am–1pm:      Electoral Integrity Assurance Taskforce
1pm:                         Adjournment

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

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THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit will hold public hearings this Friday as part of two inquiries.

These inquiries are The effectiveness of Australia’s National Anti-Doping Scheme; and The procurement of mandated national support and advocacy services for victims of child sexual abuse.

Date: Friday, 31 October 2025

Time: 9am – 12pm (AEDT)

Venue: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House

Program

Inquiry into the effectiveness of Australia’s National Anti-Doping Scheme

9am           Sport Integrity Australia

Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts

Australian National Audit Office.

Inquiry into the procurement of mandated national support and advocacy services for victims of child sexual abuse

10.35am         Attorney-General’s Department

                        Australian National Audit Office

12pm          Close

The hearings will be broadcast live and will be accessible from the Parliament House website at www.aph.gov.au/live.

Details on the inquiries—including the terms of reference and submissions received—are available on the Committee’s website.

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Committee Chair, Tim Watts MP, said. "For our first public hearing for the inquiry, the Committee is looking forward to speaking with the Department of Education to identify practical steps to reverse declining Asia capability in schools and universities. To ensure Australia’s future prosperity and security in our region, it is vital that we continue to strengthen our cultural understanding, language skills, and regional expertise—all of which begin with Australia’s education system."

Mr Watts said the committee has a particular focus on identifying the structural enablers and barriers to building Asia capability in schools and universities and the strategies to increase both demand for and access to Asian languages and cultural studies.

"By making Asia capability a national priority, we can strengthen language learning, cultural understanding, and regional expertise to ensure Australians are prepared to succeed in an increasingly dynamic and complex region," Mr Watts said.

Submissions to the inquiry remain open until November 7 and the Committee will schedule further public hearings soon.

Public hearing

Date: Wednesday, 29 October 2025
Time: 10.45am – 11.45am
Location: Parliament House

A program for the public hearing is available on the inquiry website. A live audio stream of the hearings will also be available on the APH website.

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AT 11.15am TODAY, the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will hold a public hearing into three separate proposed agreements relating to air services between Australia and Colombia, Peru and Saudi Arabia.

The proposed agreements aim to facilitate and provide support to Australian airlines entering any point in Australia and any point in Colombia, Peru, and Saudi Arabia respectively.

At the hearing the committee will examine each of the agreements to ensure they align with Australia’s national interests, focusing on key issues such as safety, security, customs and quarantine, and competition law.

The committee will also consider how these agreements could provide opportunities in the trade and tourism sectors between Australia and Colombia, Peru, and Saudi Arabia.

Committee Chair, Lisa Chesters MP, said, "These agreements have significant potential benefits for Australian travellers and Australian businesses through the opening of increased commercial opportunities, particularly in the tourism and export industries."

The committee will hear evidence from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at the public hearing.

Public hearing details

Date: Monday, 27 October 2025
Time: 11:15 am to 1pm AEDT
Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House Canberra

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

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