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Weld Australia warns Economic Reform Roundtable: Slash ‘red tape’ or save lives?

WITH the Albanese Government’s Economic Reform Roundtable kicking off today, Weld Australia is calling out the false promise of deregulation.

According to Weld Australia, the Productivity Commission’s push to 'slash red tape' completely misdiagnoses Australia’s productivity challenge.

"The problem is not standards," a Weld Australia spokesman said. "It is non-compliance and weak enforcement. Regulations like the National Construction Code (NCC) and Australian Standards exist to protect people, property and the environment and underpin economic resilience".

Geoff Crittenden, CEO of Weld Australia, said,  “What the Productivity Commission calls ‘red tape’ are the very rules that keep people alive and our major infrastructure and assets safe and standing.

“Let’s be honest about what’s in the firing line: the National Construction Code, building codes, and Australian Standards. These are not there to stifle growth or productivity. They exist to protect people, property and the environment. Deregulation is not reform. It’s negligence.

“If anyone thinks safety standards are ‘excessive’, ask the family of the worker who fell through a roof and never came home. Ask the parents of a young apprentice who died in a confined space. Ask the owners staring at cracking walls in non-compliant apartments, or households whose homes burned to the ground because a cheap battery exploded.

"Ask the state governments forced to rebuild infrastructure at more than double the initial construction price because it wasn’t built to Australian Standards in the first place,” Mr Crittenden said.

“Removing regulations and standards boosts margins and profits for corner-cutters. It doesn’t build a safer, more productive nation; it builds risk.

“Australia’s problem is not too many rules. It is too little compliance; too little enforcement of the rules. In construction particularly, too many players only worry about standards if they get caught. Compliance and enforcement are chronically under-resourced. Against that reality, calls to ‘slash red tape’ are not only laughable, they reveal a complete misunderstanding of what is going on in this country.

“If we want to go the American way — weak compliance, big profits for a few, and catastrophic failures for the rest — keep talking deregulation,” Mr Crittenden said. “If we want a productive, modern economy, look to the countries that actually top the global productivity tables. Some of europe’s most productive economies like Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands, are also among the most regulated. They don’t cut standards to grow. They enforce standards to grow.

“Talk of freezing the NCC or watering down Australian Standards is dangerously naïve. The right response is enforcement: certify fabricators against recognised standards, inspect before steel is erected, and hold everyone to the same rules, including overseas suppliers. That’s how you lift quality, extend asset life and truly improve productivity.”

Weld Australia said Australia has already been paying the price of weak compliance. Recent cases include a Brisbane rail footbridge installed despite 1,150 welding non-conformances; a major recreation centre roof collapse during construction; and a flood of low-quality imported heat-pump water heaters in the absence of a clear performance standard. These are not isolated incidents. They are systemic red flags that shorten design life and push unplanned costs onto governments and communities.

Weld Australia’s is calling on the Economic Reform Roundtable to:

  1. Enforce a level playing field for all fabricated steel: Mandate and enforce that all fabricated steel erected in Australia complies with AS/NZS ISO 3834, whether fabricated locally or overseas. This is the minimum to ensure quality and safety without disadvantaging Australian fabricators.
  2. Adopt a harmonised procurement framework that bakes in compliance: Incorporate the South Australian ST-SS-S1 model into the NCC and state government specifications (including clause 7.7 for overseas fabrication) so that inspection and competence requirements are clear before steel is erected.
  3. Establish a National Fabrication Authority: Create an independent, not-for-profit body to certify Australian and overseas companies to the same standards and to inspect fabricated steel before installation, mirroring Canada’s successful approach via the Canadian Welding Bureau. This can be implemented without new legislation by aligning State Government technical regulations.
  4. Measure what matters: whole-of-life cost and economic resilience: Shift procurement and policy settings from lowest-price wins to asset life, maintenance burden and safety outcomes. That is how productivity genuinely improves.

“Standards enable safe innovation, consistent quality and predictable markets. The choice is not growth or safety. It is growth through safety and compliance. Where Australia is falling down is not the rule book. It is the absence of a capable, independent system to check and enforce the rules before failure occurs,” Mr Crittenden said.

“Australia needs courage and conviction to enforce regulations and Australian Standards. If the round table delivers one thing this week, let it be a commitment to compliance: one set of rules for everyone, verified independently, with safety and whole-of-life value front and centre.”

Weld Australia represents the welding profession in Australia. Its members are made up of individual welding professionals and companies of all sizes. Weld Australia members are involved almost every facet of Australian industry and make a significant contribution to the nation’s economy.

The primary goal of Weld Australia is to ensure that the Australian welding industry remains locally and globally competitive, both now and into the future. Weld Australia is the Australian representative member of the International Institute of Welding (IIW).

https://weldaustralia.com.au/

Economic Reform Roundtable is an historic opportunity says ACOSS

THE Economic Reform Roundtable must be open to meaningful reform that lifts living standards for those falling behind and makes Australia a better place, according to Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) CEO Cassandra Goldie.

“This roundtable is an historic opportunity to make Australia a fairer, better country, both for people and for the planet,” Dr Goldie said.

“We must move beyond sectoral interests and build consensus around solutions to lift the living standards of our community, especially those with the least. 

“Discussions about productivity cannot be separated from discussions about the kind of society we want to live in. Many members of our community have experienced an unprecedented fall in their living standards – and they need meaningful reform.

“We are hopeful that everyone in the room will bring ambition, along with a spirit of collaboration and curiosity, to the discussion over the coming days. We cannot afford to waste this opportunity.”

ACOSS has proposed a range of policy options to strengthen social services, support the community sector to innovate, streamline social security and broaden the income tax base by removing opportunities for people with high incomes to avoid tax via private trusts and property tax concessions.

ACOSS is also calling for reforms that improve employment opportunities, especially root and branch reform of a failing employment services system and boost access to social housing. ACOSS will also urge strong climate targets and investment to deliver faster benefits to households, reducing energy prices and consumption. 

“We must better prepare and train people for jobs and support people on low and modest incomes to secure affordable, accessible and energy efficient housing,” Dr Goldie said.

www.acoss.org.au

 

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Make Big Polluters Pay Alliance says majority of Australians think coal, oil and gas corporations should pay for damage caused by their 'climate pollution'

THE Make Big Polluters Pay Alliance claims 75% of Australians believe that climate change is increasing the cost of living.

This new alliance is calling calls on governments to take action ahead of Economic Reform Roundtable.

New polling by the alliance has uncovered that the majority of Australians (62%) agree that coal, oil and gas corporations should pay for the damage caused by their climate pollution, including contributing to the costs of climate disasters.

The Make Big Polluters Pay Alliance said its polling showed there was general agreement (75%) that climate change and extreme weather is contributing to cost-of-living pressures.

The polling also found:

  • 83% believe that everyone is paying the price of climate change through increasing insurance premiums and increasing food prices;
  • 82% believe that fossil fuel companies are exporting most of the coal, oil and gas they produce overseas, meanwhile the cost of energy domestically is very high;
  • 70% agree that the government should get coal, oil and gas corporations to take more responsibility when it comes to climate pollution and damages they cause.

Coal, oil and gas corporations, who the alliance said were responsible for three quarters of Australia’s climate pollution, "take billions in government handouts, and they often pay less tax in Australia than most Australians such as nurses, despite $370 billion in revenue in 2024-25. They make mega profits, sending most overseas, and they don’t contribute to the costs of dealing with climate change and their climate pollution".

Driven by a powerful coalition of climate impacted communities, development, faith, climate, youth, First Nations and Pacific organisations, including Oxfam Australia, Greenpeace Australia, ActionAid Australia, Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action, Pacific Islands Council of Queensland, and others, Make Big Polluters Pay launched publicly today and unifies a broad cross section of society, raising the voices of frontline communities in Australia and the Pacific. The alliance highlights how the fossil fuel industry "is putting the costs of climate change onto communities and not paying their fair share, which is also harming our budget sustainability, productivity and economic resilience".

Ahead of the roundtable, Make Big Polluters Pay is offering "a pathway to reconfigure Australia's economy and tax system so that those most responsible for climate change pay the price, not ordinary Australians".

According to the Make Polluters Pay Alliance, the Australian Government should:

  • Put in place a climate pollution levy on coal, gas and oil corporations, which could raise $46 billion a year, ensuring they pay their fair share towards climate action
  • Establish a Climate Compensation Fund to meet the needs of communities on the frontline of climate impacts, and support everyday households facing rising costs from climate change and the clean energy transition.

 Make Polluters Pay Australia Campaign strategic lead, Julie-Anne Richards, said, “Australia’s coal, oil and gas corporations are making around $370 billion in revenue per year, but often pay little or no tax. They are pushing the costs of the climate pollution they produce and the climate change it creates onto communities. Everyday Australians are paying through higher insurance, food and other bill costs, as well as the costs of recovery from climate disasters. It’s time these big corporations pay their fair share.”

Oxfam Australia interim chief executive officer, Chrisanta Muli said, "It's not fair that communities impacted by climate disasters, and everyday households are paying the price for climate change, while big corporations making huge profits pay nothing. Coal, oil and gas corporations, who produce three quarters of Australia's climate pollution, should be contributing to paying for the costs of their climate pollution to households and impacted communities here in Australia and in our Pacific region."

Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action CEO, Serena Joyner, said, “Australians are tough and our communities have had to be resilient in the face of repeated fires, floods and storms. But it's not fair that we are bearing the costs of escalating disasters caused by the pollution from big coal, oil and gas corporations. It's time they stepped up and paid their fair share to clean up their mess."

Greenpeace Australia Pacific CEO David Ritter said, “For too long, fossil fuel polluters have harmed our climate, environment, and communities in their pursuit of profit. They have spread misinformation to slow emissions reduction efforts, dodged their fair share of taxes, and used their money to lobby governments and launder their reputations. The era of impunity for fossil fuel corporations must end; it is time to make big polluters pay.”

Stella Miria Robinson, Pacific Islands Council of Queensland elder said, “Australia needs to accept its responsibilities in our neighbourhood of the Pacific Ocean by fairly compensating its island neighbours for the damage Australia businesses are causing, pushing us to extinction. As stated by others Australian industries have made huge financial gains in the name of “smart” business so they should extend that “smartness” to saving the planet and its vulnerable Peoples impacted by the unpredictability and threats of climate change.”

Michelle Higelin, executive director of women’s rights NGO ActionAid Australia, said, “This is a deeply unfair situation where Australia’s big coal, oil and gas companies are making massive profits, at everyone else’s expense. For the women we work with across the Pacific and beyond, the climate crisis is pushing them into a relentless cycle of losing their income, damaging their homes, and constantly having to rebuild their lives. It’s not fair that they’re being forced to pay for damage they did not cause, and that’s why we want to see big polluters pay their fair share.”

Make Big Polluters Pay alliance members include: Climate Action Network Australia, Climate Justice Coalition, Oxfam Australia, Greenpeace Australia Pacific, ActionAid Australia, Indigenous Peoples Organisation Australia, Think Forward, Uniting Church in Australia Victoria and Tasmania Synod, Tax Justice Network Australia, Jubilee Australia, 350 Australia, Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action, Pacific Islands Council of Queensland, GetUp!, Oxfam in the Pacific, Pacific Conference of Churches, Seed Mob, Loss & Damage Pacific Network, Pacific Youth Network, Plan International Australia, Centre for International Corporate Tax Accountability and Research, Beyond Gas Network, Cairns and Far North Environment Centre, Conservation Council of Western Australia, Nature Conservation Council of NSW, Queensland Conservation Council, Environment Victoria, Friends of the Earth Australia, Human Rights Law Centre, Environmental Advocacy in Central Queensland, Lighter Footprints, Nillumbik Climate Action Team, Peoples Climate Assembly, Publish What You Pay, Rising Tide, SJ Around the Bay, Women's Environmental Leadership Australia, Grata Fund, Yarra Climate Action Now!, Citizens Climate Lobby Australia.

About the research

Polling was commissioned by Essential Media and conducted between June 13–19 with a nationally representative sample of n=2029 Australian residents aged 18+. Quotas were applied to be representative of the target population by gender, age and location. RIM weighting was applied to the data using information sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Thepercentage of coal, oil and gas companies is based on the latest National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Quarterly Update.

 

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Chartered Accountants callfor collaboration and leadership at Economic Reform Roundtable

CHARTERED Accountants ANZ (CA ANZ) is urging the attendees of this week’s Economic Reform Roundtable at Parliament House to place collaboration and leadership front of mind to ensure opportunities that put Australia on the path to a stronger, fairer economic future are not missed.

CA ANZ CEO Ainslie van Onselen said there was a real opportunity to achieve consensus on a long-term plan to address tax reform.

“We’ve long held the view that Australia’s tax architecture is overdue for renovation,” Ms van Onselen said.

“CA ANZ has advocated for a system that encourages rather than hinders investment in Australia, rewards innovation and supports sustainable growth.

“This week’s discussion is an opportunity to work together to deliver impactful reform. We need a tax system that powers productivity, not one that penalises progress – be it individuals or business, and we strongly encourage those sitting around the table in Canberra to put the nation first.

“Our recommendations of simplifying fringe benefits tax, reducing industry levies, and harmonising state taxes such as land tax and payroll tax, would go a long way to reducing red tape and we’re ready to support the government on a way forward,” Ms van Onselen said.

“Tax reform, aside, there are other productivity boosting measures that should also be on the agenda across the next few days.”

Ms van Onselen said these should include:

Mandatory digital reporting

On top of CA ANZ’s wish list is mandatory digital reporting – a critical reform which could deliver billions of dollars in net productivity gains.

“The Productivity Commission recommended mandatory digital reporting for disclosing entities just this month so progressing this key reform at the Roundtable this week is the logical step forward,” Ms van Onselen said..

“This reform will unlock productivity, improve accessibility to our capital markets, and bring Australia in line with global best practice.

“Australian companies are still stuck using PDFs and hard copy papers, while the world’s largest economies are already mandating or phasing in digital financial reporting.

“This is a negligible outlay for potentially billions in investment and productivity, which is a no brainer.” 

Implementing a road user charge

Introducing a road user charge would create a fairer, more sustainable way to fund Australia’s road network, Ms van Onselen said.

“As vehicles become more fuel-efficient and electric vehicles grow in popularity, relying on fuel taxes to cover road maintenance costs is no longer viable. A modern road user charging system ensures that everyone who uses the roads contributes to their upkeep, regardless of what powers their vehicle,” sshe said.

“Australia’s current road user charging is due for a 21st-century upgrade. With tolls, registration fees, licence charges, fuel taxes, and luxury car levies all in play, the current patchwork of charges is complex and outdated. Streamlining these systems would simplify the experience for drivers and better reflect today’s technology-driven transport landscape.”

Make ASIC searches free to clamp down on money laundering

CA ANZ has long argued for the removal of fees associated with company checks when accessing information on the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) registers.

The introduction of approximately 80,000 professional service providers and real estate entities to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) Regime is estimated to cost $13.9 billion over 10 years,” Ms van Onselen said. "This will include those entities accessing company registers to identify and verify companies, directors and office holders.

“Many businesses have to obtain information from ASIC registers to fulfill their statutory obligations, and this disproportionately impacts small businesses, including those who will be obliged to undertake identity verification checks required under the AML/CTF Regime,” Ms van Onselen said.

“We recommend the Corporations (Fees) Act 2001 be amended to remove all fees associated with searching ASIC registers.”

CA ANZ is also part of the coalition of nearly 30 groups representing small, medium and large businesses, universities, farmers, pharmacies and the investment community, led by the Business Council of Australia (BCA), that delivered a joint submission to the Economic Reform Roundtable.

Read CA ANZ’s submission at www.charteredaccountantsanz.com

 

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Public Works Committee starts three new inquiries

THE Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works will consider three new referrals under the Public Works Committee Act 1969.

The referred projects have been proposed by Airservices Australia and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication, Sports and the Arts (the Department). The proposed works were referred by the Minister for Finance, Senator Katy Gallagher, on July 31, 2025.

1. Airservices Australia—Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting Services NexGen Project for the End-of-life Facilities Upgrades – Phase 1A (Queensland and Victoria) – $163.4 million.

The works will support Airservices Aviation Rescue and Fire Fighting Services by updating and modernising select end-of-life training facilities. This will improve their capacity to store new ultra large fire fighting vehicles, and enhance regulatory compliance and workforce engagement.

2. Airservices Australia—PFAS Remediation of the Former Fire Training Ground at Rockhampton Airport, Queensland – $24.975 million.

The works will remediate per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination resulting from historical firefighting operations at the former Firefighting Training Ground at Rockhampton Airport.

3. Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sports and the Arts—Proposed Fit-out of New Leased Premises at 7 London Circuit, Canberra City – $32.5 million.

The works will fit-out the department’s new leased office at 7 London Circuit, Canberra to enable vacation of existing office accommodations.

The committee will conduct public hearings for the inquiries over the coming months. The committee has invited interested individuals and organisations to make submissions by Friday, September 12, 2025. More information is available on the Committee’s website.

Committee chair Tony Zappia MP said the committee was "dedicated to ensuring that public money is spent wisely to serve the public interest for every inquiry it considers".

"Committee members are looking forward to continuing this vital role over the course of the 48th Parliament," he said.

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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Speaker takes Parliament to North Queensland

THE Speaker of the House of Representatives, Milton Dick MP has officially kicked off his civics program for the 48th Parliament, committing to visiting all 150 federal electorates. The first electorates being visited are in North Queensland.

Over the next three days, the Speaker will be delivering his Parliament in Schools program and the Australian Parliament House Flag Roadshow in partnership with local Federal Members.

This is the first time both programs will be delivered together, providing students a classroom education session, followed by a practical hands-on session, delivering a once in a lifetime experience.

The Parliament in Schools is delivered in a classroom environment, utilising Parliamentary Education Office resources, teaching students about federation, democracy and the Australian Parliament. Students have the opportunity to hear first-hand from the Speaker and their local member on what a typical day looks like in their electorate and when they are in Parliament House for sitting weeks.

The Australian National Flag Roadshow will teach students about the history and importance of our National Flag, finishing the program by furling the 12.8m x 6.4m APH National Flag on their school oval.

On Monday August 4, the Speaker will visit:

On Tuesday August 5, the Speaker will visit Currajong State School, with the Federal Member for Herbert, Phillip Thompson OAM MP.

On Wednesday August 6, the Speaker will visit:

Speaker Milton Dick said, "My civics programs are multi-partisan initiatives to make civics education accessible to students regardless of their location.

"As Speaker of the House of Representatives, I recommit to uplifting civics education and knowledge across this country, and this starts with our youngest generation," he said.

"Not all students will get the opportunity to travel all the way to Canberra. This is why I am taking these programs on the road and bringing it to them.

"Last parliament I visited over 160 schools across over 70 electorates – from King Island to Far North Queensland to Nullagine," Mr Dick said.

"These students are our future leaders, and it is important that we equip them with the information and tools they need, to go on to be active and engaged citizens."

www.aph.gov.au

 

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Union joins push to wind back 'unfair' investor tax breaks

The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) has called for the winding back of negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount as the government prepares to hold its economic reform roundtable this month. 

The union’s call adds to mounting pressure from politicians, economists, think tanks, housing advocates and other organisations and experts demanding housing tax reform.

Everybody’s Home spokesperson Maiy Azize said ending property investor tax concessions would be good for housing affordability, wealth equality and productivity. 

“The union movement is showing real leadership by calling for property tax breaks to be wound back. Workers across Australia are being priced out by investor breaks, so the union’s push for reform makes perfect sense,” Ms Azize said.

“These tax breaks most benefit those who don’t need it, while the majority of hardworking Australians pay the price. Billions of taxpayer dollars are lost every year to these tax breaks that are making housing more expensive for everyone - and making inequality worse

“Everyday workers are being pushed to the brink because of Australia’s housing crisis, forced to live further away from their jobs and forgoing the basics just to afford a roof over their heads. Regional employers are also struggling to attract workers because there are not enough affordable homes.

“A productive workforce needs safe, stable, affordable housing. You can’t improve productivity without addressing the housing crisis. Ending these tax breaks is a crucial part of the solution. Ending unfair investor tax breaks will take heat out of the housing market and improve the budget bottom line meaning more funds can be spent on productive investments, like building more social housing.

“Poll after poll shows more Australians are open to winding back investor tax breaks because they know it’s unfair and unproductive. We’re seeing more politicians, economists, think tanks, unions and other organisations calling for reform.

“This month’s economic reform roundtable offers the federal government a critical opportunity to take decisive action on housing and end unfair investor tax breaks for good - it can not afford to let this chance slip away.”

www.everybodyshome.com.au

 

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Joint ATO, AFP and Services Australia operation exposes major scam syndicate

TODAY, officers from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Services Australia executed search warrants at four properties across Western Sydney associated with individuals allegedly involved in an identity, tax and welfare fraud syndicate targeting innocent Australians.

The ATO-led operation, which commenced in October 2024, has identified four individuals who are alleged to have engaged in an array of offences, including tax fraud, identity fraud, welfare fraud and money laundering. 

The alleged fraud involved the distribution of scam emails to unsuspecting Australians which contained links to websites that, when clicked on, enabled the fraudsters to gather their personal information and take over their identity. 

When the ATO’s systems identified the fraud pattern, the syndicate is alleged to have then turned to recruiting its victims to become complicit money mules, so that it could continue the fraud.

During the searches, officers found multiple devices containing personal identifiable information and documentation that did not belong to the offenders that could allow them to fraudulently access taxpayers accounts.

The syndicate didn’t confine its wrongdoing to Australians. The individuals are alleged to be part of a sophisticated offshore criminal syndicate that specialises in identity takeovers, romance scams and money laundering, through international money transfers and cryptocurrency transactions. 

ATO Deputy Commissioner and Serious Financial Crime Taskforce (SFCT) chief John Ford said this early intervention would protect many more Australians from having their personal information stolen and used by this syndicate to commit fraud in their names.

"Through the warrant activity today, we are sending a clear message to the community: our approach to fraud is unwavering and we will hold these individuals to account. Engaging in offences such as these carries a penalty of up to 20 years imprisonment," Mr Ford said.

"The information and capability sharing between our partner agencies means we are able to track down syndicates like this at the source, disrupt the activity and ensure they face the full force of the law.

"We have also bolstered the strength of our security systems and ATO online services to stop fraud before it happens."

AUSTRAC gets involved

AUSTRAC acting national manager for law enforcement, Markus Erikson, said AUSTRAC was able to provide crucial financial intelligence to the ATO so it could investigate fraudulent activity.

"AUSTRAC works with Commonwealth partners and law enforcement agencies providing financial intelligence to help identify and track down entities that are directly controlling money mule networks," Mr Erikson said. 

"In this instance AUSTRAC also shared, with the ATO, additional mule account data observed in other crime types to assist with understanding the extent of fraudulent activity."

ATO said people should be aware of what information they shared and to never click on a link from a text or email asking for personal information. Once the scammers have personal information, they can access bank accounts, sign in to myGov accounts, steal money and commit fraud in the victim's name.

The new protective features on the ATO app, such as real-time messages and quick account locking, are now an extra safeguard that people can add in keeping personal information safe. It can be downloaded from the app stores.

The SFCT brings together the knowledge, resources and experience of relevant law enforcement and regulatory agencies to identify and address the most serious and complex forms of financial crime. SFCT's message is clear to those who evade or cheat the tax system: there is no place to hide.

For more information about the SFCT, visit www.ato.gov.au/sfct.

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National Youth Parliament 2026 delivery partner is Y Australia

THE Department of the House of Representatives is pleased to announce that following a competitive open tender process, Y Australia has been selected as the delivery partner for the National Youth Parliament to be held in Canberra in August 2026.

The National Youth Parliament will bring together 150 senior school students, each representing one of Australia’s federal electorates, for an immersive five-day (four-night) experience in Canberra.

The program will provide Youth Members with a unique opportunity to explore aspects of the role of a Member of Parliament and to learn about parliamentary processes, including how bills are drafted, debated, and passed into law.

Y Australia is a nationally recognised leader in youth civic engagement, with more than 40 years of experience delivering Youth Parliament programs across the country.

Y Australia CEO Alexandra Ash said, "This partnership is based on a strong foundation of delivery and experience – the Y has been running Youth Parliaments across the country for decades. We are very pleased to be working with the Department on a National Youth Parliament in Canberra."

This civics education program will engage young people in democratic processes. A department spokesperson said it looked  forward to working with Y Australia in its delivery.

www.aph.gov.au

 

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Datadog joins the S&P 500 Index

DATADOG INC, the monitoring and security platform for cloud applications, has announced its recent inclusion on the S&P 500 Index.

Datadog’s addition comes as it continues to innovate across its product portfolio in AI, observability, security, log management and more. The S&P 500 is widely regarded as the best single gauge of large-cap US equities, tracking the stock performance of 500 leading US companies.

“Joining the S&P 500 Index is a significant milestone for Datadog and is a testament to the work of our employees, collaboration with partners, and above all, our relentless focus on meeting the complex needs of our 30,000+ global customers,” co-founder and CEO of Datadog, Olivier Pomel said.

“That said, we’re only getting started and it is still early days for cloud adoption and AI transformation. We’re all hard at work to solve the hardest problems our customers face and help them succeed in this new world.”

Datadog joins the S&P 500 during a period of strong financial performance. For the trailing 12 months ending March 31, 2025, Datadog reported US$2.8 billion in revenue, growing 26% year-over-year.

To support its 30,500 customers worldwide as of March 31, 2025, Datadog continues to rapidly add to its product portfolio.

At its annual DASH conference in June, the company unveiled more than 400 products, capabilities and features, including launches in LLM Observability, agentic AI, security, log management and the announcement of its Internal Developer Portal.

Datadog is the observability and security platform for cloud applications. Its SaaS platform integrates and automates infrastructure monitoring, application performance monitoring, log management, user experience monitoring, cloud security and many other capabilities to provide unified, real-time observability and security for our customers' entire technology stack.

Datadog is used by organisations of all sizes and across a wide range of industries to enable digital transformation and cloud migration, drive collaboration among development, operations, security and business teams, accelerate time to market for applications, reduce time to problem resolution, secure applications and infrastructure, understand user behavior and track key business metrics.

www.datadoghq.com

 

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New Parliamentary Members seminar June 23-26

NEWLY elected members of the House of Representatives will come to Canberra next week to learn about their new roles as federal parliamentarians. 

During the four-day seminar, to be held from June 23 to 26, Australia’s newest MPs will be introduced to both the procedural and administrative aspects of their work in the House of Representatives. They will hear from officials of the House of Representatives, other parliamentary and executive agencies and from seasoned MPs, before the opening of the 48th Parliament next month. 

Learning to navigate the 75,000sqm building, understanding Chamber proceedings and the work of parliamentary committees, as well as what a newly elected MP can expect during their first week on the job will also be on the agenda.

www.aph.gov.au

 

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