THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has commenced a review of the listing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a state sponsor of terrorism under the Criminal Code.

This follows ASIO’s assessment that the IRGC orchestrated cowardly attacks against Australia’s Jewish community – including the fires at Lewis’ Continental Kitchen in Sydney in October 2024 and the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne in December 2024. These attacks were designed to intimidate, sow fear and undermine Australia’s multicultural society.

Legislation enabling the listing of state sponsors of terrorism commenced on November 8, 2025 through the Criminal Code Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) Act 2025.

On November 27, the IRGC became the first entity listed under this framework. Listing activates criminal offences for directing, financing, recruiting for, or otherwise supporting a state sponsor of terrorism, with penalties of up to 25 years imprisonment.

The IRGC is a hybrid military-security organisation that operates independently from Iran’s conventional armed forces and reports directly to the Supreme Leader. It has a record of conducting internal security operations and hostile overseas activities.

Under subsection 110.7(2) of the Criminal Code, the PJCIS may review a listing at any time and report its comments and recommendations to both Houses of Parliament.

Chair of the PJCIS, Senator Raff Ciccone, said, “This is the first organisation listed as a state sponsor of terrorism under laws recently passed by the Australian Parliament.

“The committee’s review will give the Australian community an opportunity to have their say on the listing of the IRGC and ensure that appropriate processes have been followed."

Members of the public can make submissions to the review by January 23, 2026.

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Education will hear from teachers, school associations, and community language educators today (December 8) as part of its inquiry into building Asia capability in Australia through the education system and beyond.

Committee Chair, Tim Watts MP, said, "Teachers and lecturers are at the heart of building Australia’s Asia capability. They’re not just teaching language. They’re opening doors to understanding cultures, building empathy, and preparing our young people to succeed in a region that will define our future.

"When we invest in teachers’ skills and resources, we’re investing in Australia’s ability to engage confidently and effectively with our neighbours," he said.

‘The committee is looking forward to hearing firsthand perspectives on the critical role teachers and lecturers play in building Asia capability. This hearing will explore how educators can embed language learning and cultural understanding in classrooms, and how we can support them to maintain and grow these capabilities into the future."

The committee will schedule further public hearings in 2026.

Public hearing

Date: Wednesday, 8 December 2025
Time: 9am – 3.15pm
Location: Committee Room 2R1, 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 Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) today tabled its report for its annual review of administration and expenditure of six intelligence agencies..

In the review, covering the 2023-24 reporting period, the committee said it was satisfied that the agencies were overseeing their administrative functions and administering outcomes and outputs effectively.

In reviewing the expenditure of the six intelligence agencies, the committee was satisfied with the conduct of agencies, their efforts to achieve value-for-money outcomes for the Australian taxpayer, and their appropriate management of budget and expenditure over the reporting period.

PJCIS Chair, Senator Raff Ciccone, said, “The committee’s annual review of intelligence agencies’ administration and expenditure is an important oversight component of Australia’s National Intelligence Community. After in depth classified hearings and review of classified submissions the committee found the intelligence agencies to be working in an effective and efficient manner.”

Further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the committee’s website.

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THE Electoral Matters Committee is reopening written submissions and inviting community input on the 2025 Federal Election at its upcoming hearings.

Committee Chair, Jerome Laxale MP said, "We have learnt a great deal from the personal submissions and statements we have received to date, but we know there is still much more left to hear. We want to continue to hear from community members and organisations about their experience of the 2025 Federal Election.

"In response to community feedback, the committee has resolved to continue to receive written submissions until February 28, 2026,"  Mr Laxale said.

The committee will now be holding hearings in Ipswich on December 11, 2025. As part of these hearings, members of the public will be invited to get on the record by making short verbal statements of up to five minutes.

"Experiences from individuals involved in the 2025 Federal Election are essential to shaping the committee's priorities," Mr Laxale said. "Your perspective offers valuable clarity on where our efforts should be focused.

"If you would like to address the committee, please tell us a bit about how you participated in the election and what you would like to talk to the committee about," Mr Laxale said.

To register interest in making a statement at upcoming hearings, contact the Committee Secretariat at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

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: Thursday, 11 December 2025
Location: North Ipswich Reserve Function Centre, 2B Pine Street, North Ipswich, Queensland 4305

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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THE Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works (the committee) will conduct a public hearing on December 1 to review the Attorney-General Department’s proposed fit-out of new leased premises at 3-5 National Circuit, Barton.

The proposed works to consolidate the department’s Canberra footprint from three buildings into one aims to achieve substantial Commonwealth savings, and establish an effective workplace for the Department. The proposal should better support the department’s functions by reducing excess and under-utilised workplaces, and delivering an efficient and productive workplace design. The proposed works have a total estimated cost of $39.93 million.

Tony Zappia MP, Chair of the Committee, said, "The public hearing will enable the committee to carefully consider the value and effective use of taxpayer money, and ensure the fit-out accommodates the diverse needs of staff."

The committee will hear from relevant officers from the department at the public hearing. Interested members of the public are encouraged to listen in to the public hearing via the APH website.

Public hearing details

Date: Monday, December 1, 2025
Time: 12:30 pm–1:10 pm

Location: Virtual

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

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Workplace Relations, Skills and Training has launched an inquiry into the operation and adequacy of the National Employment Standards (NES) under the Fair Work Act, and is seeking written submissions to guide the inquiry’s findings.

The inquiry – a commitment arising from the 2022 Jobs and Skills Summit – will consider whether the NES continue to meet the needs of workers, employers, and the broader economy.

The NES set out guaranteed minimum terms and conditions for all national system employees, along with modern awards. This safety net of terms and conditions underpins the bargaining system and serves an incredibly important role in the workplace relations system.

Committee Chair, Carina Garland MP, said, "The National Employment Standards are a critical part of the workplace relations framework, setting out a guaranteed minimum safety of terms and conditions that cannot be undercut.

"Sixteen years on, it’s time for a coordinated review to find out whether the Standards remain fit for purpose in a changing labour market," Dr Garland said.

"We are seeking to engage with the public and the Australian workforce to evaluate if the Standards continue to meet the needs of employees, employers and the economy.

"The committee also wants to receive submissions on the effectiveness and application of the NES, including any opportunities for technical improvements."

The inquiry will not focus on flexible working arrangements, casual employment, parental leave, or family and domestic violence leave, as these matters have either been recently reviewed or are scheduled for separate reviews.

The committee has invited written submissions in response to the terms of reference by Friday, February 27, 2026. Submissions will be welcomed from anyone with concerns about current employment entitlements, including unions, employer groups, academics, and workers covered by the NES – particularly women, workers over 55, young workers, First Nations workers, and people with disability.

Submitters who wish to provide input anonymously should contact the Secretariat to discuss available options. More information on the inquiry, including the full terms of reference and details on making a submission, can be found on the inquiry website.

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) has tabled a report recommending the ratification of the major treaty action Amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005).

The committee found the amendments to the treaty are aimed at strengthening global preparedness for future pandemics. The amendments will allow the World Health Organization to respond to future pandemics more swiftly and effectively, through the following key measures:

• A new pandemic emergency declaration mechanism to improve early warning and elevate global attention to emerging health threats;
• Expanded core capacities, such as measures to combat misinformation and disinformation, and improved access to essential health products for developing countries;
• Strengthened global health architecture, promoting faster, coordinated international responses and reducing the risk of future pandemics.

Committee Chair Lisa Chesters MP said, "Australia already has strong health systems in place. The real benefit of these amendments lies in helping other countries strengthen their capacity to detect and respond to health threats early. This global cooperation ultimately safeguards Australians and reduces the risk of future pandemics."

The report also contains one minor treaty action relating to the Amendment to the International Tropical Timber Agreement, 2006. The treaty provides a framework for cooperation between tropical timber-producing and -consuming countries in the promotion of sustainable forest management and legal timber trade. The amendment is to extend the treaty until 2029.

The committee supports ratification of the major and minor treaty actions 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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THE Parliament Standing Committee on Petitions has today launched an Inquiry into the standing orders relating to petitions.

The committee will inquire into and report on the work of the Standing Committee on Petitions in the 48th Parliament, including:

• The suitability of the current provisions of the standing orders governing the form, submission, and consideration of petitions and e-petitions;
• The impact of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and automated systems, on the integrity and authenticity of the petitions process; and
• Potential amendments to the standing orders or administrative practices to ensure the petitions process remains accessible, credible, and sustainable.

Chair of the Committee Jodie Belyea MP, said, "Petitions enjoy a long history in the Western parliamentary tradition, dating back to the 12th century. Today, petitions remain one of the few ways for Australians to raise their concerns directly with parliament, and their popularity has only continued to grow.

“The e-petitions system was introduced in 2016 at the start of the 45^th Parliament. There has been a remarkable growth in e-petitioning from the days of paper petitions, when fewer than 300 petitions were typically presented over the course of a parliament.

"In the 47^th Parliament the number of petitions presented to the parliament was 1,706, with the vast majority of these being e-petitions.  Next year will mark the 10^th anniversary of the e-petitions system, and this inquiry is timely."

Submissions from interested individuals and organisations are invited by Friday, February 6, 2026. The preferred method of receiving submissions is by electronic format lodged online using a My Parliament account.

Further information about the committee’s inquiry is available on the committee’s website.

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