THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has commenced a review of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment Bill 2026.

The Bill, which was introduced into the Parliament on March12,  2026, would enable the chief executive officer of the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) to restrict or prohibit reporting entities from using high-risk mechanisms to provide designated services; amend the meaning of financing of terrorism to reference new offences for financing a state sponsor of terrorism; and make technical amendments..

Chair of the PJCIS, Senator Raff Ciccone, said, “Transnational serious and organised crime networks continue to evolve, finding new ways to exploit communities and economic systems for illegal gain and to conceal the proceeds of crime.

"As governments strengthen protections across parts of the legitimate economy, criminals are increasingly turning to emerging technologies and changes in financial sector infrastructure to bypass safeguards.

"This inquiry seeks to ensure the Bill is well‑suited to today’s rapidly changing financial crime landscape.

"This is an important review given the ongoing risks posed by money laundering and serious crime to both Australia’s financial system and the broader community, and the importance of maintaining an anti‑money laundering and counter‑terrorism financing (AML/CTF) framework that can respond effectively to emerging threats, now and into the future.”

The committee is inviting written submissions to be provided by Friday, May 8, 2026.

Further details on the review are available on the committee’s website: aph.gov.au/pjcis

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) has tabled a report recommending the ratification of the Papua New Guinea-Australia Mutual Defence Treaty (the Pukpuk Treaty).

The Pukpuk Treaty strengthens Australia’s defence partnership with close neighbour Papua New Guinea by elevating the status of the defence relationship to a formal Alliance. Once ratified, the Pupuk Treaty will form Australia’s third Alliance, following on from the signing of the Security Treaty between Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America (ANZUS), more than 70 years ago.

Committee Chair, Lisa Chesters MP said, “The Pukpuk Treaty marks a significant achievement in Australia’s relationship with Papua New Guinea. This treaty ties our two countries closer together and enables enhanced diplomatic and defence coordination and collaboration.

“Papua New Guinea is one of Australia’s most important partners and we are proud to call them our ally.”

Throughout the inquiry process, the committee held a public hearing where it heard from stakeholders about some of the mutual benefits of the treaty, including the two-way military training and skills exchange in areas of specialist jungle warfare and increased interoperability.

The committee found that the Pukpuk Treaty was well aligned with Australia’s strategic focus on relationship building, regional stability, prosperity and sovereignty in the Pacific.

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

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TODAY, Tony Zappia MP, Chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works presented the Public Works Committee’s second report of 2026 to the House of Representatives.

Report 2/2026 – Referral made in September 2025 considers the proposed redevelopment of Blamey Barracks, Kapooka, New South Wales for a total estimated cost of $889.2 million (excluding GST).

Following an inquiry during which the committee had the opportunity to visit the Barracks and see firsthand the conditions of the site and question Department of Defence officials at public and in-camera hearings in Wagga Wagga, the committee found that the proposed works would bring the Barracks in line with today’s standards. The committee has recommended the House of Representatives approve the works.

Mr Zappia said, "As the Home of the Solider, Blamey Barracks played a vital role for Defence in the basic training of Army recruits and ensuring Defence is able to maintain capability requirements as outlined in the 2024 National Defence Strategy.

"The redevelopment project will support Defence workforce planning by ensuring that Blamey Barracks has modern and fit-for-purpose facilities for recruits to live and train in," Mr Zappia said.

"After seeing the condition of the current facilities firsthand, the committee agrees that the site is in need of an upgrade."

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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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water will hold its first public hearing on Wednesday, April 1, as part of its inquiry into solar panel reuse and recycling. The inquiry was referred on January 19 by the Minister for the Environment and Water, Senator Murray Watt.

The public hearing will provide an opportunity for the committee to question officials from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water about current policy settings, regulatory arrangements and future options to improve the sustainability and circularity of Australia’s solar energy system.

The committee has received submissions from all levels of government, various businesses, peak associations and individuals in the sector.

Committee Chair, Anne Urquhart MP, said, "The public hearing provides an important opportunity to examine the department’s views on Australia’s preparedness for managing end‑of‑life solar panels as installations continue to grow nationwide, and the opportunities and challenges associated with expanding domestic reuse and recycling capabilities. 

“Australia has one of the highest rates per capita of rooftop solar panel installation in the world.” Ms Urquhart said. “As we continue to transition to renewable energy, we must ensure that the components of the system we build—in this case the solar panels—do not become a long-term environmental and economic burden."

Australia’s circular economy framework will be discussed, and how it aligns with the views expressed by industry stakeholders and environmental groups in submissions to the inquiry. The committee will also discuss the current and potential viable panel reuse streams in the local economy, and how this could be fostered.

Public hearing details:

Date:               Wednesday, 1 April 2026
Time:               10am to 11am (AEDT)
Location:         Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House Canberra and online.

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

Hearing with:   Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water

Further information, including the terms of reference, can be found on the committee’s website.

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THE Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works has recently commenced two new inquiries into proposed works by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) under the Public Works Committee Act 1969.

The AFP is proposing to fit out new premises for its Northern Command Headquarters located in Brisbane, Queensland.

The proposed new premises will replace the AFP’s existing two major Brisbane offices in Newstead and Fortitude Valley with 10,594 square metres of floorspace at 949 Ann Street in the Brisbane CBD. As well as office space, the proposed works will deliver over 3,000sqm of technical and specialist areas. The estimated cost of the proposed works in $89.3 million (excluding GST).

The CSIRO is proposing to upgrade and fit out Building 302 at its complex in Clayton, Victorian to deliver purpose-built laboratory facilities for staff relocating from the CSIRO’s site located in Aspendale, Victoria. The proposed works will allow the CSIRO to consolidate staff into modern, fit-for-purpose, compliant, and future-ready accommodation at the Clayton site and maintain capacity for vital atmospheric and climate science. The estimated cost of the proposed works is $18.27 million (excluding GST).

The committee has invited interested individuals and organisations to make submissions by Friday, May 1, 2026 for the AFP referral and Monday, May 11, 2026 for the CSIRO referral. More information is available on the inquiry websites: AFP, Brisbane and CSIRO, Clayton.

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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THE Social Policy and Legal Affairs Committee will hold its first hearing of its inquiry into the link between domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) and suicide on Friday, March 27.

Committee Chair, Louise Miller-Frost MP, said the hearing provides "an important opportunity to understand how Commonwealth agencies are currently capturing data, coordinating services, and responding to DFSV victimisation that is linked to suicide risk".

The committee will hear from six Australian Government agencies:

• Department of Social Services
• Attorney-General’s Department
• Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
• National Indigenous Australians Agency
• Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
• Australian Bureau of Statistics

"These government bodies play a central role in shaping national policy, and their insights will provide a strong launching pad for the committee’s inquiry,’ Ms Miller-Frost said.

"The committee is expecting to hold interstate hearings in April and further hearings in Canberra over the coming months," Ms Miller-Frost said.

More information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference and submissions, can be found on the inquiry webpage.

Public hearing details

Date: Friday, 27 March 2026
Time: 10am to 12.15pm
Location: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra

Programs for each public hearing are available on the inquiry website.

Public hearings are broadcast live on the Australian Parliament House Streaming Portal.

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) has tabled a report recommending the ratification of the Agreement to Establish the Pacific Resilience Facility and the Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions.

The report also contains the minor treaty action 2025 Amendments to Annex I of the International Convention against Doping in Sport.

The Agreement to Establish the Pacific Resilience Facility establishes the Pacific Resilience Facility as an international funding organisation. The organisation will fund projects and grants aimed at strengthening the region’s capacity to address the accelerating impacts of climate change.

The committee found that the agreement aligns with Australia’s regional goals to build resilience and stability in the Pacific.

Committee Chair, Lisa Chesters MP said, “This is an innovative agreement for the Pacific and efforts targeting the effects of climate change. Australia is a longstanding member of the Pacific Islands Forum and supports Pacific initiatives. The agreement will allow Australia to increase its regional support in an organisation that is Pacific-designed, implemented and led.”

The Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions establishes a framework for countries to work collaboratively with sports organisations and betting operators to detect, prevent and punish manipulation of sports competitions. The convention also facilitates international cooperation to further sports integrity on a global scale.

Ms Chesters said, “Sport is a substantial part of Australian culture, identity and economy. Ratification of the convention will allow Australia to contribute to strengthening the global response to match fixing and illegal gambling, two issues that threaten the integrity of Australia’s sport industry.”

The committee found that ratifying the convention would allow Australia to fortify its current regulatory and legislative framework. This would allow Australia to continue leading sports integrity efforts globally.

Throughout the inquiry process, the committee held public hearings for both treaties and heard from a range of stakeholders.

Australia supports ratification of these treaties 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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