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PJCIS supports listing of White Australia as a prohibited hate group

THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has today presented its report on its Review of the listing of White Australia as a prohibited hate group under the Criminal Code, backing the Federal Government's decision to list White Australia as a prohibited hate group.

The PJCIS found the organisation has engaged in conduct constituting hate crimes against Australians.

White Australia was listed in May 2026 under the new prohibited hate group framework – the second listing under new laws enacted by the Parliament earlier this year to stop groups that spread hatred, radicalise vulnerable young people and threaten social cohesion in Australia.

The PJCIS conducted an independent review of the listing which found that White Australia meets the criteria for listing and that the regulation under Part 5.3B of the Criminal Code Act 1995 was properly made. The committee supports the listing and found no reason to disallow the legislative instrument.

Chair of the Committee, Senator Raff Ciccone, said, “The PJCIS carefully examined the evidence before it, including stakeholder views. Based on the evidence, the committee is satisfied that White Australia has engaged in conduct constituting hate crimes and that the listing is necessary to protect Australians from harm.

“For too long, organisations like White Australia have been able to spread hate and create a pathway for others to engage in violence,” he said.

“Australia will not tolerate groups that promote hatred, normalise extremist rhetoric and put the safety of Australians at risk.”

Under the listing, it is a criminal offence to be a member of, recruit for, provide training or funds to, or provide material support to White Australia.

Anyone who experiences or witnesses a hate crime is encouraged to report it to the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400.

The full report is available from the committee’s website.

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Parliamentary Act to combat money laundering and terrorist financing

THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has today tabled its report on its review of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) Amendment Bill 2026, calling for urgent action on cryptocurrency ATMs.

The committee found cryptocurrency ATMs (automatic teller machines) are a significant channel for scams and financial crime and has recommended the Minister, on advice from the AUSTRAC CEO, consider restrictions or prohibitions as a priority.

Committee Chair, Senator Raff Ciccone, said the inquiry highlighted the need for Australia's regulatory framework to keep pace with evolving technologies and criminal methodologies.

“Money laundering and terrorism financing continue to cause serious harm to our community, economy and national security,” Senator Ciccone said. “It is important that Australia's laws keep pace with the criminals."

The Bill would strengthen Australia's AML/CTF framework by creating a new mechanism to address emerging financial crime risks, updating terrorism financing provisions and making technical amendments to improve how the framework operates.

The Bill gives AUSTRAC a new power to act on high-risk products, services or channels, like cryptocurrency ATMs, across an entire sector at once. The committee recommended that this power be exercised by the responsible Minister on advice from the AUSTRAC CEO to strengthen accountability and public confidence.

The committee also recommended greater transparency in consultation processes before any ban or restriction is imposed, and endorsed changes to modernise the counter-terrorism financing framework and assess risks associated with legacy payment infrastructure.

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

 

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Master Builders say new NCC report identifies productivity challenges

THE Parliamentary Select Committee on Productivity in Australia has released its interim findings, recommending significant changes to the National Construction Code (NCC) and highlighting the need for further reforms to stamp out corruption in the construction industry.

Master Builders Australia broadly welcomes the committee's recommendations, which align closely with the organisation's long-standing advocacy.

The interim report mentions while regulation is essential to ensure safe, resilient and high-quality housing, increasing regulatory complexity is placing further pressures on the construction sector.

It also finds that while placing the CFMEU into administration was an important step, further reforms are required to prevent a recurrence of past practices and restore confidence in the industry. This is a position Master Builders Australia has continued to advocate.

"The Federal Government must deliver lasting reforms including the establishment of an independent regulator to ensure history does not repeat itself once the CFMEU Administration period ends,” Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn said.

Ms Wawn also highlighted that the findings reflect what builders and tradies have been saying for years and that the focus must now turn to action.

“We welcome the committee's recommendation to refocus the NCC on minimum safety and performance requirements, as well as its recommendation that government procurement policies should not preference union backed Enterprise Bargaining Agreements," she said.

“The NCC is no longer fit for purpose and is adding thousands of dollars unnecessarily to the cost of building projects.

“The committee is spot on in identifying the factors undermining productivity across the construction sector. While we look forward to the final report, Parliament must now focus on delivery and implementing reforms that boost productivity, lower costs and support the delivery of more homes, infrastructure and buildings.”

www.masterbuilders.com.au

 

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Local government funding inquiry to hear from Geoscape Australia and the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport’s inquiry into local government funding will hear from Geoscape Australia and the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing this week.

The committee wants to better understand from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing how local government can be supported to help deliver medical, aged care and disability services across their communities.

In 2025-26, the Australian Government provided nearly $250 million to local governments for a range of public health services, as well as community-based health and home care services, according to the Department. The funds were also to support critical infrastructure and service delivery, particularly in areas of market failure.

The committee will also hear from Geoscape Australia to discuss its role as the nation’s location intelligence organisation, using location data to deliver geospatial capabilities and insights to support local government and business.

Committee Chair, Fiona Phillips, said, "The committee is keen to hear from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing about whether current funding arrangements are meeting local governments' needs. It also wants to explore how funding can better support councils delivering health, aged care and disability services, particularly in regional and rural communities.

“In regard to Geoscape Australia, the committee looks forward to hearing how Geoscape services can assist local governments with better infrastructure planning, climate resilience, energy management, and how to manage the damage from natural disasters such as flooding.”

Further information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and how to contribute, is available on the committee’s website.

Public hearing

Date: Thursday, 13 August 2026
Time: 11am – 12.30pm
Location: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra

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

 

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Away from home on census night? Your home considered 'unoccupied' with a million others, warns HIA

IF YOU ARE AWAY from home tonight, Census night, your home will be recorded as 'unoccupied' according to HIA senior economist Tom Devitt. And you will could therefore be  misrepresented as being part of the housing supply problem.

“As usual, someone will claim it is one of a million vacant homes that could be utilised to solve Australia’s housing shortage,” Mr Devitt said.

“This and other myths are part of the cause of Australia's housing shortage.

“Every Census the myth of the vacant home resurfaces. Around 10% of Australian homes are recorded as unoccupied on Census night and this is quickly transformed into the claim that Australia has a million vacant homes.

“Unoccupied is not vacant," he said.

“If you're on holiday, away for work, staying with family, in hospital, or simply somewhere else on Census night, your home may be unoccupied. It hasn't suddenly become a vacant home available to solve Australia's housing shortage.

“A home may also be between tenants or owners, newly completed and awaiting occupation, undergoing renovations, part of a deceased estate, or a holiday home.

“A holiday home on the coast does not solve a rental shortage in Sydney. A farmhouse hundreds of kilometres from employment does not house a worker in Melbourne.

“The proportion of Australian homes recorded as unoccupied on Census night has remained remarkably stable over many decades. Vacant homes are not the ‘smoking gun’ that can solve Australia’s housing shortage," Mr Devitt said.

“State governments have even attempted to place a tax on these vacant homes and failed to find meaningful numbers of homes.

“Taxing genuinely vacant homes might sound appealing. But if governments can't find them, it starts to look a lot like taxing a unicorn.

“The tax system already provides investors with a very strong incentive to make their properties available to tenants. An investment property generally needs to be rented or genuinely available for rent for the owner to claim rental property deductions. An investor deliberately withholding a property from the rental market cannot simply claim the associated costs as though the property were producing rental income.

“The idea that enormous numbers of investors are deliberately leaving homes empty while simultaneously enjoying the benefits of negative gearing misunderstands how the tax system works.

“More importantly, it distracts attention from the actual housing problem," he said.

“Australia has a shortage of housing stock in the locations, of the types and at the prices households need.

“Rental vacancy rates remain critically low. Rents are rising. Home prices are elevated and household formation is being suppressed.

“These are symptoms of a housing market where demand exceeds supply.

“Australia is effectively trying to accommodate demand from around 11 million households with substantially fewer suitable and available homes.

“Yet every Census we rediscover around a million homes that happen to be unoccupied on one particular night and convince ourselves that perhaps Australia doesn't need to build more homes after all.

“The solution to a shortage of homes is considerably less exciting, but much more effective.

“Build more homes.

“And if you're spending Census night at your partner's house, visiting your parents, in hospital, away for work or enjoying a holiday, don't worry.

“Your home hasn't suddenly become the solution to Australia's housing shortage,” Mr Devitt said.

ww.hia.com.au

 

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SMSF investment ban starts today - Master Builders

TODAY (August 10), the Federal Government's ban on self-managed super funds (SMSFs) investing in the residential property sector comes into effect.

Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn said the decision was the latest in a series of Federal Government policies that failed to recognise their impact on builders and tradies and would put future projects at risk.

"The government's recent ill-considered approach will harm small business builders," Ms Wawn said. "Whether it's the SMSF investment ban, restrictions on housing investment through changes to capital gains tax and negative gearing, or changes to business trust structures, these policies all have significant ramifications.

"Why will the SMSF ban stall projects? Many developments, particularly apartment projects and large master-planned communities, rely on investor pre-sales to secure finance and commence construction. The government should review this policy before it becomes entrenched and, at a minimum, exempt new residential construction from the ban.

"The Federal Budget as a whole is a blow to construction jobs, housing supply and confidence. Builders and tradies are facing cuts to their investment from multiple fronts, rising costs and are being boxed into a no-win situation.

"Australia needs policies that support housing supply and construction investment, and it needs them now, not later,” said Ms Wawn.

www.masterbuilders.com.au

 

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Have your say: Is your business prepared for a cyber attack?

FROM SCAMS and phishing emails to ransomware and data breaches, cyber threats are becoming a growing concern for small and medium sized businesses across Australia.

That's why the Parliamentary Select Committee on Cyber Security for Small to Medium Sized Businesses and Organisations wants to hear directly from business owners about the challenges they face and the support they need.

The committee has launched a short stakeholder survey to better understand the cyber security experiences of small and medium sized businesses and organisations.

Committee Chair Sally Sitou MP said the survey is an opportunity for business owners to make their views heard.

"Running a small business is demanding enough without having to worry about cyber criminals targeting your operations, customer data or finances," Ms Sitou said.

"We want to hear what's working, what's not, and what government, industry and cyber security experts can do to better support small businesses.

“Whether you have experienced a cyber incident, are concerned about the cost of cyber security, or need clearer advice and support, we want to hear from you.”

The committee is particularly seeking feedback from businesses with fewer than 200 employees, as well as cyber security and technology experts.

The survey is designed to be quick and easy to complete and will help inform the committee's work examining the cyber security challenges and opportunities facing Australia's small and medium sized businesses.

Have your say by completing the survey here:

Survey on the cyber security preparedness of small to medium sized businesses – Fill out form here.

The survey will be open until January 29, 2027.

Businesses, organisations and individuals who would like to provide more detailed feedback can also make a written submission to the inquiry until August 28, 2026.

A spokesperson for Parliamentary Select Committee said Australians' experience can help shape practical solutions to better protect Australian small businesses and other organisations from cyber threats.

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Plymouth Brethren and Advance to appear before Electoral Matters Committee

REPRESENTATIVES of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church and Advance will appear at a public hearing of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters on August 21.

Committee Chair, Jerome Laxale MP said, "The committee continues to gather information relating to the conduct of the 2025 Federal Election, including engagement by third parties. Transparency is one of the pillars of our democracy, and voters deserve to know who is involved in campaigning at our polling booths.

"I thank the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church and Advance for confirming their upcoming attendance to provide evidence to the committee as we further consider these important issues," Mr Laxale said.

The program for the hearing will be advertised on the committee’s public hearings webpage. The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

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

 

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Electoral Matters Committee visits Hobart

THE Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters is holding a hearing in Hobart today, August 5, as part of its inquiry into the 2025 federal election.

Committee Chair, Jerome Laxale MP said, "The spread of disinformation and misinformation on social media and AI at elections is increasing significantly. In Hobart, the committee will be discussing tools for dealing with online disinformation and misinformation in campaigning.

"The hearing will also discuss the process for redistribution of federal electorates," Mr Laxale said.

The committee will hear from Tasmanian Senator Peter Whish-Wilson in his capacity as Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Information Integrity on Climate Change and Energy, alongside Deputy Chair Senator Michelle Ananda-Rajah.

The committee will also hear from former Tasmanian Senator Catryna Bilyk, former Mayor of the City of Clarence, Doug Chipman, and psephologist Kevin Bonham, among others.

Public hearing details

Date: Wednesday, 5 August 2026
Location: Committee Room 1, Parliament House,1 Salamanca Place, Hobart, Tasmania

11.15 am           Senator Peter Whish-Wilson and Senator Michelle Ananda-Rajah

12.00 pm           Mr Thomas Chick

12.45 pm           Break

1.30 pm             Dr Robert Hortle, Dr Lachlan Johnson and Mr Doug Chipman

2.15 pm             Dr Kevin Bonham

3.00 pm            Mrs Catryna Bilyk

3.45 pm             Close

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

Programs for these upcoming hearings will be advertised on the Committee’s public hearings webpage as they are finalised. The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

 

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Independent review underway at Bureau of Meteorology

AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW has been commissioned by CEO of the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), Stuart Minchin, to help inform the organisation’s future organisational strategy and ensure it delivers value to Australians in a rapidly changing environment.

The review will form part of the bureau's preparations for its next strategic plan, which will come into effect in the second half of 2027. It will examine how the organisation can best meet the future needs of Australians, industry and community stakeholders, while maintaining the trust and confidence that underpin its role as the nation's trusted source of weather, water, climate and environmental intelligence.

The review has been commissioned in consultation with Federal Environment and Water Minister, Murray Watt, and the Department of Climate Change, Energy Environment and Water (DCCEEW).

It will be led by Phillip Glyde, former chief executive of the Murray–Darling Basin Authority. Mr Glyde will be supported by an expert panel including DCCEEW Deputy Secretary, Sean Sullivan and internationally experienced public policy advisor, Raj Nahna.

The panel will assess:

  • The bureau's service offering and its alignment with current and future community needs.
  • The effectiveness of public communications and responsiveness to stakeholder needs.
  • Opportunities to strengthen reputation, resilience and strategic partnerships.
  • Strategic challenges and opportunities likely to influence the bureau's value over the next decade.
  • Areas of unmet customer demand and alignment with the bureau's legislative mandate.

The review panel is expected to report back by March 31 next year.

“The work BoM staff do every day is complex and they face a range of pressures, so this review will bring an independent perspective to understanding the services being delivered and how that value can be strengthened into the future," Environment and Water Minister Murray Watt said.

"BoM’s role in keeping Australia safe, informed and prepared in a changing climate has never been more vital. Maintaining trust in, and ensuring the effectiveness of, BoM’s information and services is essential," he said.

"Many Australians rely on BoM to make decisions on-farm, at work and in severe weather, and I know we’re all committed to ensuring that future services meet people’s needs and expectations."

BoM CEO and director of meteorology, Stuart Minchin said, "The development of our next strategy is a significant opportunity to take a fresh look at what matters most to the Australian community and to ensure we are well positioned to meet future challenges and opportunities.

"We deeply value the trust that the Australian public and our customers place in us. Our work underpins essential services, economic activity, environmental health and community wellbeing, for all Australians every day, so it’s important we get it right," Dr Minchin said.

"This review will help the Bureau of Meteorology better understand current and future customer needs and ensure our strategy and services are squarely focussed on the things that are important to the Australian community, our customers and partners.

"The review is firmly focused on the future. It is about ensuring the bureau remains a trusted, modern and responsive organisation that continues to meet the needs and expectations of a changing world."

Click here to learn more about the independent review.

 

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Defence Committee to inquire into national civil preparedness and resilience

NATIONAL civil preparedness and resilience will be the focus of a new inquiry by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence.

Committee Chair, Senator Deborah O’Neill, said, "There is no more important task than the defence of the nation. We live in a time of geostrategic contest that grows more complex by the day.

"The task of defending the nation and deterring assaults on our sovereignty falls not only to armed service men and women but to every Australian, and engages every sector of the economy and our civil society. The task of readying for the security of Australia impels us to assess the civil preparedness and resilience of our nation.

"Recent conflicts overseas have exposed how quickly Australia’s reliance on the interconnected global economy, and its trade networks, can make us vulnerable to supply chain shocks," Senator O’Neill said.

"The inquiry will consider whole-of-nation support for national defence, continuity of government, and the availability of essential goods and services (including fuel) during times of crisis or conflict. In doing so, the committee will examine opportunities to work with state, territory and local governments in response to crises and conflict, as well as the private sector and Australian communities."

Deputy Chair, Senator Dave Sharma, said, "Australia's deteriorating strategic environment and heightened geopolitical risk requires a greater degree of resilience, preparedness and self-reliance, so Australia can withstand global shocks. This inquiry will contribute to that effort."

Through this inquiry, the committee is aiming to identify the strengths and gaps in Australia’s national civil preparedness and resilience, as it currently stands.

The inquiry will also explore international best practice on national civil preparedness and opportunities to adapt these practices to the Australian context.

The committee has invited submissions that respond to the inquiry’s terms of reference by Friday, November 6. More information, including the terms of reference and details on how to make a submission, can be found on the Committee’s website.

 

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