ASMOF – The Doctors Union – has welcomed a landmark ruling by the NSW Industrial Relations Commission today, which it said vindicated its case and delivered an appropriate pay increase to support NSW psychiatrists and ease pressure on the mental health system in crisis.

ASMOF councillor Ian Korbel said the decision was an important victory for psychiatrists and the mental health patients they care for.

“This is a major win for psychiatrists across NSW, who, since January this year, have courageously put their livelihoods and careers on the line to stand up for a better mental health system for their patients," Dr Korbel said.

“Today, after months of hearings, expert testimony and extensive deliberation, the NSW IRC has finally accepted ASMOF’s arguments that there was a crisis in the NSW mental health system, which was having an adverse impact on the community, and something urgently needed to be done about it.

“In its ruling, the Commission accepted that this crisis was caused by an acute shortage of psychiatrists in NSW, caused by low pay and unsustainable working conditions and as such, ruled that a 20% attraction and retention allowance should be granted to help address the crisis

“This is an appropriate, modest and necessary pay increase that will help bring psychiatrist remuneration in line with other states and territories.

“It will help to attract and retain the psychiatrists we urgently need to shore up the crumbling NSW mental health system.”

While welcoming the decision, Dr Korbel said it was disappointing that the Commission did not rule in favour of other critical reforms ASMOF has proposed, focused on boosting the psychiatrist workforce in NSW.

“While the decision on the attraction and retention allowance for psychiatrists was a welcome step forward, it was disappointing that the Commission did not rule in favour of other critical measures ASMOF proposed be included in an updated Award," Dr Korbel said.

“These included the establishment of a joint staffing committee to address workforce shortages and the provision of appropriate support for psychiatrist trainees.

“Sadly, there is now little incentive for psychiatry trainees to start or continue their training in NSW, placing the future pipeline of psychiatrists for the NSW mental health system at risk.”

Dr Korbel said ASMOF would continue to work with the government to ensure that NSW health services were fit for purpose, with much work still to be done.

“Today’s landmark decision can begin the rebuilding process for NSW," he said. "We want to work with the government to make certain that patients get the care they need, in a system that has safe working conditions and adequate staffing, so that we can provide the best healthcare and support to mental health patients and their families.”

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will hold a public hearing today for its inquiry into the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Partnership and Collaboration Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The committee will examine how this agreement strengthens Australia’s defence capabilities while also enhancing interoperability with the UK. The inquiry will explore the treaty’s legally binding framework for the transfer of nuclear-powered submarine technology, personnel training, and industrial collaboration.

Committee Chair, Lisa Chesters MP, said, "This agreement represents a major step forward in Australia’s bilateral defence relationship with the United Kingdom. It builds on decades of cooperation and reflects a shared commitment to regional stability and technological advancement.

"While it forms part of the broader AUKUS framework, this treaty is unique in its scope and ambition. The committee will assess how it supports Australia's long-term security interests and contributes to our sovereign capability through a direct partnership with the UK."

The committee will hear evidence from the Friends of the Earth Australia, Friends of the Earth Adelaide, the Australian Conservation Foundation, the Medical Association for Prevention of War Australia, Serco Asia Pacific, the Australian Submarine Agency, the Department of Defence, the Attorney-General’s Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at the public hearing.

Public hearing details

Date: Thursday, 2 October 2025
Time: 1.30pm-5pm AEST
Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House Canberra

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

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics will hold a public hearing with the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), Michele Bullock, and other senior RBA officials, on Monday, September 22.

The Economics Committee in the 48^th Parliament is continuing its biannual hearings.

"The hearings with the RBA have been an important mechanism to provide parliamentary scrutiny of the RBA," Committee Chair, Ed Husic MP said.

"As inflation continues to ease – and with recent cuts to interest rates here and abroad – now is a critical time for us to hear from the RBA about its views on the likely shaping of future monetary policy.

"It will also be the first hearing by the Economics Committee since the implementation of separate monetary policy and governance boards at the RBA."

Public hearing details

Date: Monday, September 22, 2025
Time: 11am – 2pm
Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra

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

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SPEAKER of the House of Representatives, Milton Dick MP is taking Parliament on the road, delivering his Parliament in Schools program and Australian Parliament House (APH) National Flag Roadshow across Brisbane schools this week in partnership with local Federal Members.

Students will receive a classroom education session, followed by a practical hands-on session, delivering a once in a lifetime experience.

The Parliament in Schools program is delivered in a classroom environment, utilising Parliamentary Education Office resources, teaching students about federation, democracy and the Australian Parliament. Students have the opportunity to hear first-hand from the Speaker and their local member on what a typical day looks like in their electorate and when they are in Parliament House for sitting weeks.

The APH National Flag Roadshow will teach students about the history and importance of our National Flag, finishing the program by furling the 12.8m x 6.4m APH National Flag on their school oval.

On Wednesday September 17, the Speaker will visited Silkstone State School, with the Federal Member for Blair, the Shayne Neumann MP; Goodna State School; and Springfield Lakes State School.

On Thursday September 18, the Speaker will visit Wellers Hill State School, with the Federal Member for Moreton, Julie-Anne Campbell MP; and Gumdale State School, with the Federal Member for Bonner, Kara Cook MP.

On Friday September 19, the Speaker will visit Coorparoo State School, with the Federal Member for Griffith, Renee Coffey MP; and Brisbane Central State School, with the Federal Member for Brisbane, Madonna Jarrett MP.

"My civics programs are multi-partisan initiatives to make civics education accessible to students regardless of their location," Mr Dick said.

"As Speaker of the House of Representatives, I recommit to uplifting civics education and knowledge across this country, and this starts with our youngest generation. This term I am committing to visiting all 150 electorates across the country.

"Not all students will get the opportunity to travel all the way to Canberra. This is why I am taking these programs on the road and bringing it to them," he said.

"Last parliament I visited over 160 schools across over 70 electorates – from King Island to Far North Queensland to Nullagine.

"These students are our future leaders, and it is important that we equip them with the information and tools they need, to go on to be active and engaged citizens.

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THE Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories will hold its first public hearing with the National Capital Authority (NCA) as the committee’s biannual briefings recommence in the 48^th Parliament. 

Biannual briefings with the NCA have been held regularly since 2009 and contribute to the committee’s understanding of the role of the NCA in planning, promoting and maintaining the nation’s capital.

Committee Chair Alicia Payne MP said, “As Canberra continues to grow and evolve, these public hearings offer a timely opportunity to engage with the NCA on the decisions shaping our national capital’s future.

“The committee values the transparency and accountability these sessions bring, and we look forward to exploring both the opportunities and challenges facing the NCA," Ms Payne said.

Members of the public can attend and observe the proceedings of this public hearing. Audio of the hearing will also be webcast live on the Australian Parliament’s website.

Further information about the biannual public briefings, including those held in previous Parliaments, can be found on the Committee’s website.

Public hearing details

Date: Tuesday, 16 September 2025
Time: 11:30am – 1pm
Location: Committee Room 1R4, Parliament House Canberra and via audio link.

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THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) has requested that an independent post-election review of the operations of the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) be undertaken and that this should be conducted externally.

Committee Chair Josh Burns MP said, "One of the JCPAA’s legislative responsibilities is to consider whether the operations of the PBO should be reviewed following a Federal Election, and to determine the scope and nature of that review. The committee agrees that an external review of the PBO’s effectiveness would be timely."

The committee has directed that Martin Parkinson AC PSM be engaged to conduct this work. The terms of reference include the effectiveness and efficiency of the PBO, the appropriateness of its mandate, resourcing and service demand levels, stakeholder feedback, and the impact of PBO’s outputs in public policy debates.

Mr Burns further said, "The PBO performs vital costings and budgetary analysis, among other services, to Parliamentarians and thereby the Australian public. The committee wishes to ensure that the PBO can continue to effectively fulfil this important mandate into the future."

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AIRSERVICES AUSTRALIA will appear before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works (the committee) for a public hearing in Rockhampton, Queensland, on Thursday, September 18, 2025.

The hearing will examine two referrals currently under inquiry by the committee: PFAS Remediation of the Former Fire Training Ground at Rockhampton Airport, Queensland and Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting Services NexGen Project for the End-of-life Facilities Upgrades – Phase 1A (Queensland and Victoria).

The PFAS referral proposes remedial actions for the management of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) contamination resulting from historical firefighting operations on the site of the Former Firefighting Training Ground (FFTG) at Rockhampton Airport. The total estimated cost of the proposed works is $24.975 million.

The proposed NexGen Project works will include the rebuilding of three end of life facilities (Cairns, Rockhampton, Mackay), minor works across three sites (Gladstone, Sunshine Coast, and Melbourne Learning Academy), the replacement of Ultra Large Fire Vehicles, and works for cold drill grounds to support training objectives and meet CASA regulations and meet ongoing workforce capability training needs. The total estimated cost of the proposed works is $163.4 million.

Tony Zappia MP, Chair of the Committee, said, ‘The committee is looking forward to conducting its first site inspections and away hearings of this Parliament."

Mr Zappia also said, "It is vital for the committee to get out of Canberra and see how Commonwealth funding is being spent on the ground and we’re eager to see the proposed work sites at Rockhampton Airport."

The committee will hear from relevant officers from Airservices Australia and local land holder, Chris Stasch, at the hearing. Interested members of the public are encouraged to listen in to the public hearing via the APH website or attend the hearing in person at the location listed below.

Public hearing details

Date: Thursday, 18 September 2025
Time: 9:20am – 10:20am – PFAS (AEST)

Time: 10.50am – 11.30am – NexGen (AEST)

Location: Apartments on Palmer, Conference Room, 5 Palmer Street Rockhampton

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

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DEMENTIA is now the leading cause of death for Australians, according to the latest update of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s (AIHW) Dementia in Australia report.

The update, which was released today, also found that without a significant intervention, the number of Australians living with dementia will exceed 1 million by 2065.

Dementia Australia CEO Tanya Buchanan said the report, released in the lead-up to Dementia Action Week (September 15-21), reveals the enormous impact dementia has on Australian families.

“These figures highlight just how many families are impacted by dementia across Australia. Most of us know someone who is or has been impacted by dementia,” Professor Buchanan said.

“People affected by dementia often tell us that friends and family drift away after a diagnosis, because they are unsure of how to interact.  

“That’s why the theme for this year’s Dementia Action Week – which starts on Monday 15 September – is ‘Nobody can do it alone’. We are challenging Australians to reconnect with someone impacted by dementia to help combat the high levels of social isolation many experience.”

Dementia Australia dementia advocate Lil Mirtl, who lives with dementia, said the report highlighted how important it was to act now to provide the support and services for people living with dementia.  

“We don’t have time to feel uncomfortable or awkward about these conversations about dementia – we need to have them now," Ms Mirtl said. 

“We have to pull together as a community to do this. We can’t do it alone as individuals, the government can’t do it alone, we need to all act together.”

The update to the Dementia in Australia report also revealed that 43 percent of the dementia burden in Australia can be attributed to six modifiable risk factors: being overweight or obese, physical inactivity, high blood sugar, high blood pressure in midlife, smoking and impaired kidney function.

"With dementia now the leading cause of death for Australians it is more pressing than ever that the Federal Government commit to funding a national conversation on dementia to raise awareness and promote brain health at all ages,” Prof. Buchanan said.

“By taking a comprehensive approach to addressing dementia, we can reduce the impact of dementia into the future. With aged care across the country already under pressure, and the number of people living with dementia expected to exceed 1 million by 2065, we simply cannot afford to wait.

"We call on the government to take decisive action. People living with dementia, their families and carers are depending on us to do this right, and to do it now.”

Visit dementia.org.au/dementiaactionweek to access a range of resources and information to support Australians to reconnect with someone impacted by dementia.  

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