THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) has recommended Australia ratify four significant international agreements that will strengthen cooperation with Fiji, expand opportunities for Australia's space sector and enhance customs cooperation with Canada.

Committee Chair, Lisa Chesters MP, said, "These agreements will strengthen Australia's international partnerships and deliver practical benefits across the Pacific, the space sector and border security."

The Fiji-Australia Vuvale Union will strengthen cooperation between Australia and Fiji across prosperity, people-to-people links, climate, and security. The agreement also establishes bilateral consultation bodies to deepen and implement shared Australia-Fiji priorities.

The Ocean of Peace Alliance (Veitacini Treaty) strengthens defence cooperation between Australia and Fiji and provides for other Pacific countries to be invited to join. The agreement focuses on protecting Australian and Fijian sovereignty, mutual defence and security interests, and the stability and security of the Pacific region.

The Framework Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United States of America on Cooperation in Aeronautics and the Exploration and Use of Airspace and Outer Space for Peaceful Purposes creates an overarching framework for US-Australia space collaboration. The agreement will create new opportunities for the Australian space sector to partner with the US on space programs and initiatives.

The Agreement between Australia and Canada on Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters (CMAA Agreement) formalises processes for Australia-Canada cooperation on customs matters. It replaces and updates a prior Memorandum of Understanding governing the relationship between the Australian Border Force and the Canada Border Services Agency, elevating cooperation to treaty-level status. The updated treaty framework is designed to address increasingly sophisticated threats posed by international criminal groups.

The report also contains three technical treaty amendments:

• Amendments to Annex II to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade
• Amendments to Annexes A, B and C to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants
• 2025 Amendments to Annex A of the Minamata Convention on Mercury

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

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Primary Industries will hold a public hearing in Canberra as part of its inquiry into factors shaping social licence and economic development outcomes for critical minerals projects across Australia.

On Friday, October 16 the committee will hear from environmental scientist Dr Dora Pearce, the Victorian-based Alliance for Responsible Mining Regulation, the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, Regional Development Australia Gippsland and the Quantum Sunlands Project, focussed on graphite mining and processing.

In its submission, the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining observes that "critical minerals development is disproportionately occurring in places already shaped by socio-economic disadvantage and uneven development. This has consequences for how governments should think about economic benefit, workforce participation, infrastructure, cumulative pressure, and the distribution of risk and benefit."

Committee Chair, Meryl Swanson, said, ‘The inquiry has highlighted both the tremendous opportunities and real challenges presented by critical minerals projects. Some questions have been raised in regional Australia about the benefits to them.

"Governments must be prepared to shape policy to ensure that grasping the opportunities provides direct benefits to affected communities, at minimal cost, as well as broader benefits to the nation. That will ensure social licence for industries and governments alike."

More information on the inquiry, including the full terms of reference and details on making a submission, can be found on the inquiry website.

Public hearing

Date: Friday, 16 October 2026
Time: 9am – 12.40pm (AEDT)
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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TODAY, for the final time, the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has tabled a report of its annual inquiry into the Defence Major Projects Report.

The Major Projects Report has served as a landmark of Defence accountability for 18years. What commenced as a response to poor visibility on the progress of major projects evolved over the years into a technical document that has provided the data necessary for parliamentary scrutiny.

As with previous inquiries, the committee’s report finds that although there have been improvements in Defence performance, Defence projects continue to experience scope, budget and schedule difficulties, when compared with original second pass approval.

Although the 2024-25 Major Projects Report is the final report, it will not be the end of the committee’s scrutiny of Defence expenditures. The committee will evolve the shape and form of its scrutiny for the future.

As a first step in this reformulation of Defence scrutiny, and pursuant to a recommendation in the report, Defence will provide information to the committee as requested, containing specified data on the projects the committee deems necessary. This will be information that assists the committee to audit and assess Defence’s performance and governance of its major acquisition projects.

The committee will also increase its scrutiny of performance audits in the Defence portfolio and has commenced this with inquiries into the Land 400 Phase 3 project, and the Collins Class Submarines Life of Type Extension Project.

Committee Chair, Josh Burns MP, said, “Scrutiny of Defence performance in delivering capability will always be necessary and vital in a democracy where the military must remain accountable to the Parliament for the expenditure of large amounts of public money.”

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Implementation of the National Redress Scheme has today tabled a report in Parliament, following a year-long inquiry into the continuing operation of the scheme.

The report – Their Courage, Our Responsibility: The continuing operation of the National Redress Scheme and Australia's commitment to survivors – draws on evidence and experiences shared with the committee by victim-survivors, redress support service providers, participating institutions, researchers and government agencies.

The committee made 31 recommendations aimed at strengthening the scheme's operation as its conclusion draws near, supporting victim-survivors beyond its closure, and ensuring that the lessons that have been learned since its commencement are preserved as part of the scheme’s enduring legacy.

Most significantly, the committee recommended that the application deadline for the scheme be extended from June 30, 2027 until December 31, 2027, and that the scheme not be closed until all applications have been processed.

Committee Chair, Jodie Belyea MP, said the National Redress Scheme is a unique undertaking, unparalleled internationally in both its scale and complexity.

"Over the past eight years, the scheme has been a critical avenue for recognition, support and redress for thousands of victim-survivors. For many, it has been life-changing," Ms Belyea said. "Equally, many applicants find the process deeply challenging."

The Redress Scheme has been placed under pressure by sustained demand for redress and growing application volumes. The committee has focused on how those pressures can be addressed in a trauma-informed, victim-focused way, including how victim-survivors are supported as the scheme moves towards closure and beyond.

‘The experiences of survivors and the knowledge gained through the operation of the scheme are a vital part of our broader national reckoning with institutional child sexual abuse," Ms Belyea said. "The committee is intent on ensuring that the scheme closes safely and responsibly, and that victim-survivors continue to receive the support they need."

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

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THE Speaker of the House of Representatives, Milton Dick MP, has chosen distinguished political journalist Dennis Shanahan to deliver the sixth Speaker’s Lecture at Parliament House on November 23.

Mr Shanahan will speak on the topic ‘How the rise of social media and misinformation is changing Australia’s democracy, and what we can do to safeguard our country.’

Mr Shanahan has been The Australian’s Canberra bureau chief, then political editor and now national editor based in the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery since 1989 covering every Federal Budget, election and prime minister since then. He has been in journalism since 1971 and has a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University, New York.

Speaker's Lecture 2026

Date: Monday 23 November 2026
Time: 12 noon – 1pm AEDT
Venue: Main Committee Room, Parliament House, Canberra

Mr Shanahan will be introduced by the Speaker and the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Ms Claressa Surtees. A Q&A session will be held after Mr Shanahan’s speech.

Building occupants and members of the public have been invited to attend (RSVP required). 

The Speaker’s lecture will also be broadcast on the APH website: www.aph.gov.au/live.

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) will hold a public hearing today (October 12)  as part of its inquiry into the Vanuatu-Australia Nakamal Agreement. The agreement was referred to the committee on July 1 this year.

The Vanuatu-Australia Nakamal Agreement aims to establish a legally-binding framework for security, economic, developmental and people to people cooperation between Australia and Vanuatu. Through strengthening the existing security partnership and economic and people to people cooperation, the agreement aims to advance the respective national security interests of each party.

Committee Chair, Lisa Chesters MP, said, "Australia and Vanuatu share close connections, history and geography which entwine our cultures and peoples. We also share an interest in the collective security, sovereignty and prosperity of the Pacific region.

"The committee is interested in understanding how the agreement will strengthen Australia’s role as Vanuatu’s closest economic, security and development partner," Ms Chesters said.

The committee will hear evidence from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian Federal Police.

Further information about the inquiry, including the treaty text, National Interest Analysis and submissions received by the committee, are available on the inquiry’s webpage.

Public hearing details

Date: Monday, 12 October 2026
Time: 10:30am – 11:30am AEDT (approximately)
Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House Canberra

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

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THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Lynda McAlary-Smith, has welcomed the decision that the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will continue accepting credit card payments until June 30, 2027, describing it as a practical outcome that recognises the cash flow realities facing many Australian small businesses.

Ms McAlary-Smith said access to flexible payment options remains important for many small business and family enterprise operators who carefully manage cash flow while meeting their tax obligations.

“I welcome the Treasurer's announcement that the ATO will continue accepting credit card payments until 30 June 2027,” Ms McAlary-Smith said.

“This is a sensible and welcome decision that gives small businesses breathing room and recognises the very real cash flow pressures they are managing.

“For a small business, flexibility in how and when bills are paid can make a real difference to cash flow,” she said.

“The ATO has listened to concerns from myself and other stakeholders about the impact this change would have had on small businesses and the need for genuine consultation that reflects the real experiences of business owners who are already managing significant financial pressures.”

Ms McAlary-Smith said, “This extension provides valuable breathing room for small businesses who use credit cards as a legitimate cash flow management tool to meet obligations on time and allows consultation about longer term arrangements to take place.

“Small businesses have told us that removing this payment option too quickly would make managing already tight cash flow even harder. It is pleasing to see those concerns heard and acted on.

“This extension provides valuable time to properly consider what comes next and ensure any longer-term arrangements are workable for small businesses," Ms McAlary-Smith said.

“While this is a positive outcome, I will continue to advocate strongly for the interests of small businesses and ensure their practical experience is at the centre of the ATO’s consultation as I work with them over the coming months.”

www.asbfeo.gov.au

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THE Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has suspended its plan to deny payments by credit card from November 30. It has agreed to continue accepting credit card payments for tax obligations until June 30, 2027.

An ATO spokesperson said the change followed "discussions with the government and the provision of transitional funding".

"We will continue to consult with relevant stakeholders and stewardship groups to understand how best to support those experiencing financial hardship and identify alternative arrangements for businesses and individuals who are unable to pay via other methods," the ATO said in an official statement.

"Taxpayers who wish to continue using a credit card to meet their tax obligations after 30 June 2027 may continue to use third-party payment providers. The ATO encourages taxpayers considering these options to carefully consider relevant fees, charges and processing timeframes.

"The ATO also encourages taxpayers to remain vigilant against scams and verify the credentials of any third-party providers before sharing information or making payments."

The ATO said taxpayers needing additional support "are encouraged to contact the ATO or speak with their registered tax professional".

www.ato.gov.au

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