THE Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) have welcomed the appointment of Royal Commission and announcement of the Terms of Reference into crime and misconduct in Vitoria's construction industry.  

For too long allegations about crime and corruption on Victorian building sites have threatened the integrity of taxpayer funded infrastructure projects, fundamentally undermining public trust in the sector and the state's capital program.  

Last month, VCCI and ACCI came together to call for a Royal Commission in a bid to restore confidence and public trust in this vital industry along with a range of other important measures to prevent and tackle corruption.  

VCCI has long called for the expansion of IBAC's powers and welcomes the government's indication it will advance legislation to deliver this.  

VCCI chief executive Sally Curtain said, “Those involved in the industry who are honest and hardworking deserve a system that protects them, not one that enables intimidation, coercion or criminal gain.

“It is vital we get to the bottom of what’s occurred and put in place mechanisms to prevent it from happening in the future.

“Restoring confidence in the sector requires clear rules, stronger enforcement and the political will to act.  It is encouraging that Premier Ben Carroll has moved quickly to establish this Royal Commission.” 

ACCI chief executive officer Andrew McKellar said, “Corruption has infected the Victorian construction sector to its core, and only a Royal Commission can expose its full extent and drive the systemic change required.

“We welcome the Victorian Premier’s decision to establish this inquiry, which must be fearless and prepared to pursue wrongdoing wherever the evidence leads.

“Victorians deserve to know that every taxpayer dollar spent on infrastructure is protected from corruption, intimidation and criminal influence.” 

www.victorianchamber.com.au

www.acci.com.au

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Migration will be holding public hearings in Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast in the coming days for its inquiry into the value of skilled migration to Australia.  

These build on public hearings already held in Canberra, Adelaide, and Sydney earlier this year. The committee will hear more perspectives from stakeholders involved in the migration system, including industry associations, migration agents and lawyers, academics, migrant support and community services, and vocational education providers.

In Melbourne, the committee’s focus will be on the business and technology sectors, and migration agents, legal and settlement services.

Moving to Brisbane and the Gold Coast, the committee will hear from South East Queensland-based multicultural organisations providing education and settlement services for migrants, as well as unions and employers.

“Throughout the inquiry, the committee has heard about the important role the skilled migration program plays in Australia’s economy,” Committee Chair, Steve Georganas MP, said. “At these hearings, we look forward to engaging with the business community to better understand if the program is meeting the needs of employers in key and emerging sectors.

"We are also interested in learning more about initiatives to encourage and support migrants to build their skills and settle in local communities, including pathways from education to skilled migration visas.”

The committee expects to conduct additional hearings in Canberra later this year. More details about the inquiry, including the terms of reference, submissions, public hearing transcripts, and upcoming public hearings are available on the committee’s website.

Public hearing details 

Melbourne  
Date: Friday, 21 August 2026  
Time: 9.30am to 4.20pm AEST
Location: Flinders Room, Mantra on Russell, 222 Russell Street, Melbourne.

Brisbane
Date: Monday, 24 August 2026 
Time: 10.20am to 3.20pm AEST
Location: Committee Room 1, Queensland Parliament, Corner George and Alice Streets, Brisbane.

Gold Coast  
Date: Tuesday, 25 August 2026 
Time: 9am to 12.50pm AEST
Location: Apollo Room 1, Mantra Legends Hotel, 25 Laycock Street, Surfers Paradise.

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

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THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has today tabled its report for its review of the Australia’s Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Amendment Bill 2026, recommending that the Bill be passed by the Parliament.

The Bill strengthens, streamlines and clarifies Australia’s Foreign Arrangements Scheme, delivering on recommendations from the 2025 independent review led by Rosemary Huxtable AO PSM.

At the heart of the reforms is a fundamental shift, moving the Scheme's focus from Australia's narrower 'foreign relations' to the broader concept of the 'national interest' – a change the committee says is overdue given the current strategic environment.

The Committee received 11 submissions from stakeholders, including universities, local government representatives, academics and relevant Commonwealth agencies, and held a public hearing in Canberra on August 6.

Committee Chair Senator Raff Ciccone said the committee had weighed the evidence carefully, particularly the implications of broadening the Bill's scope.

“Australia’s economic security, national security, research capability, foreign policy and international engagement are increasingly interconnected,” Senator Ciccone said.

“The proposed amendments more accurately reflect the contemporary strategic environment and will allow foreign arrangements to be assessed against the full range of Australia’s national interests.”

The reforms also cut red tape and sharpen the scheme's focus on higher-risk activities. Key changes include a one-step notification process for non-core arrangements, reduced approval requirements for minor variations, clearer institutional autonomy provisions for foreign universities and improvements to the public register.

The committee concluded that the amendments strike the right balance between maintaining Commonwealth visibility and oversight of foreign arrangements that may affect Australia’s national interest, while cutting unnecessary regulatory burden for lower-risk activities.

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

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The committee wants to better understand from the Department of Education how local government can be supported to help deliver early childhood education across their communities, especially when private providers are not present.

In 2023-24, the Australian Government provided nearly $383 million in local government funding for a range of early childhood education and care infrastructure. Councils that are service providers of childcare may apply to the Department for initiatives involving early childhood education infrastructure, integrated child and family hubs, and school-community co-location projects.

The committee will also hear from the National Indigenous Australians Agency to discuss its role distributing Commonwealth local government funding of $123 million in 2023-24.

Committee Chair, Fiona Phillips, said, “The committee is keen to hear from the Department of Education about whether current funding arrangements are meeting the needs of local governments and their communities. It also wants to explore how funding can better support councils delivering early childhood education services, particularly in regional and rural communities.

“Regarding the National Indigenous Australians Agency, the committee looks forward to hearing how local governments are partners or delivery organisations, particularly for projects that support First Nations communities, Closing the Gap priorities, and community infrastructure," she said.

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, 20 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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THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) held public hearings on Monday (August 17) as part of its inquiries into four proposed agreements:

• Agreement between the Government of Australia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Support and Procurement Organisation (NSPO) on Acquisition and Support Cooperation;
• Agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Government of Australia relating to Air Services;
• Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of Kiribati relating to Air Services;
• Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Republic of Nauru relating to Air Services.

The NSPO Agreement is designed to allow Australia access to programs and services offered by the NSPO and NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). The committee will investigate whether this access to capability acquisition, logistics and system support represents value for money. The committee will also inquire into whether the NSPO Agreement creates opportunities for Australian defence industry.

Committee Chair, Lisa Chesters MP, said, “Ensuring the Australian Defence Force has the capability it needs in the modern military environment is vital. Strengthening Australia’s domestic defence industry is similarly crucial. The committee will investigate whether the NSPO Agreement benefits Australia’s defence industry and builds Australian defence capability in a cost-effective way.”

The Air Services Agreements aim to provide a legal framework for air services between Australia and Cambodia, Kiribati, and Naoero (formerly known as Nauru) respectively. At the public hearing the committee will inquire into the agreements’ provisions on areas such as safety, security, customs and competition law. The committee will investigate how the proposed agreements could strengthen Australia’s relationships with Cambodia, Kiribati and Nauru and expand opportunities for tourism and export industries.

Ms Chesters said, “It is vital for Australia to remain connected and integrated with our region. It is equally important to ensure that we do not compromise our aviation standards. The committee will examine these Air Services Agreements and ensure they are fit for purpose.”

The committee will hear evidence from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts, the Department of Defence, the Australian Defence Force and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Public hearing details

Date: Monday, 17 August 2026
Time: 10:30am to 1:00pm AEST (approximately). The NATO public hearing was to be held from 10.30am and the three Air Services treaties would be discussed in a combined hearing from 11.15am.

Location: Committee Room 2S1, Parliament House Canberra

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

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

Report 5/2026 – Referrals made in March 2026 considers two proposed major works:

• Australian Federal Police — Proposed Fitout of Leased Premises, 949 Ann Street, Brisbane;
• Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation—Upgrade and Fitout of Building 302 Research Way, Clayton, Victoria.

The Australian Federal Police is seeking approval from the Parliament to fit-out their leased premises at 949 Ann St, which will be the site of their Northern Command, consolidating its two Brisbane offices and the Australian Centre for Countering Child Exploitation at an estimated cost of $89.3 million.

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is seeking approval to upgrade and fit-out Building 302, Research Way at its existing Clayton site, replacing the CSIRO Aspendale site as the primary location of the climate, ocean and atmospheric research teams at an estimated cost of $18.27 million.

The committee received submissions, and undertook site inspections, received private briefings, and conducted public and private hearings in Melbourne. The committee had the opportunity to visit CSIRO Aspendale and AFP Southern Command, which recently underwent a fit-out similar to what will be carried out at AFP Northern Command.

The committee has recommended that the House of Representatives approve the proposed works. Mr Zappia said, "Both projects provide these agencies with the necessary fit-for-purpose technical facilities and accommodation required for their respective work in advancing Australia’s security and prosperity."

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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THIS WEEK, 150 secondary school students from across Australia – one from each federal electorate – will come to Canberra for the 2026 National Youth Parliament – a fully funded, five-day program designed to equip young Australians with the knowledge, confidence and skills to engage with Australia’s parliamentary democracy. 

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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