TPL_YOOTHEME_SKIP_TO_MAIN_CONTENT

Business News Releases

PJCIS supports Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission reforms

THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has today presented to the Parliament an advisory report for its Review of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) reform package 2026.

The reform package consists of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission Bill 2026 and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (National Policing Information Charges) Bill 2026. The bills would establish the ACIC under a new Act, clarifying its role and enhancing its ability to obtain, analyse, evaluate and communicate intelligence relevant to serious and organised crime.

The PJCIS supports the passage of both bills, subject to 25 recommendations aimed at strengthening safeguards and ensuring a smooth transition to the new legal framework.

Chair of the PJCIS, Senator Raff Ciccone, said, “Serious and organised crime causes extensive harm to the Australian community. The ACIC is a key agency tasked with enhancing Australia’s response to this threat by collecting and communicating intelligence relating to serious and organised criminal activities.

“The committee supports these reforms, which will help clarify the ACIC’s mission and ensure its legal framework is appropriately adapted to its task. The committee has recommended amendments to improve clarity, accountability, oversight mechanisms and other safeguards, particularly in relation to the ACIC’s coercive powers.

“These recommendations will help ensure the public can have confidence that the reform package provides the right legislative settings for the ACIC’s long-term future and that the ACIC’s extraordinary powers are used only as intended to help keep Australians safe from serious and organised crime.”

The full report and further information about the inquiry are available on the committee’s website: aph.gov.au/pjcis

 

ends

Senate inquiry must put the trust tax modelling on the table says Family Business Association

THE Family Business Association (FBA) has welcomed the Senate inquiry into the proposed minimum tax on discretionary trusts and is calling on the Senate Economics Legislation Committee to publish the economic modelling and regulatory impact statement, and to consult family businesses of all sizes.

The Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 3) Bill 2026 and its companion rates bill were referred to the committee on October 15. Submissions close on October 29 with hearings on November 5 and 6.

FBA CEO Catherine Sayer said the inquiry will be the first public test of the proposed system. FBA has sought the modelling since May, but two rounds of Treasury consultation have passed without it and the Senate is now being asked to vote on a $4.5 billion tax on figures nobody outside Treasury has seen. Ms Sayer said.

The FBA’s position is that two weeks is too short to examine a measure of this size, given its long-term effects on the economy and community.

The FBA's position is that the Senate Economics Legislation Committee must publish the economic modelling and regulatory impact, and consult the families of all sizes that the tax will hit.

"Since May we have asked the government to show us the modelling," Ms Sayer said. "Two rounds of Treasury consultation have come and gone without it, and the Senate is now being asked to vote on a $4.5 billion tax on figures nobody outside Treasury has seen," Ms Sayer said.

"Two weeks is a short time to examine a measure of this size. It is a critically important issue that should not be rushed. It is going to have long-term impacts on the economy and community and needs to be carefully considered "

Ms Sayer said the committee's first question was what the sector looks like once the current generation of owners has handed over.

"This is not a tax on this year's profit," she said. "It decides whether the next generation takes the business on or sells it. That question has not been asked, let alone modelled.  We do not want to look back in 10 years’ time and wonder what has happened to all the family businesses in Australia."

Ms Sayer said the bill also did not work for a family that runs a business through a trust today.

"The 30% is a floor, not a rate," she said. "The election locks a family's distribution split for life and cannot be used to keep profit in the business for a new truck or a new press brake. No trust formed after July 1, 2028, can elect at all. And the restructure path relies on stamp duty relief that is still unclear that the states will give.

"Stacked on the increasing cost of doing business, productivity challenges, increasing compliance costs, the recent card surcharge ban and the stamp duty question along with the enormous cost to restructure, small and family businesses face death by a thousand cuts. These businesses employ half the Australian workforce."

FBA will lodge its submission by October 29 and will seek to appear before the committee.

Family Business Association is the peak body for family businesses in Australia. Around 70% of Australian businesses are family businesses and they employ around half the workforce.

www.familybusiness.org.au

 

ends

Intelligence and Security Committee begins hearings on radicalisation in Australia

THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) will hold its first public hearing for its inquiry into the nature and drivers of radicalisation in Australia on Wednesday, October 21.

The eSafety Commissioner, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Department of Home Affairs will speak at the hearing and provide the PJCIS with an overview of the contemporary radicalisation environment and the Government’s response.

The inquiry is examining the nature and drivers of radicalisation as they relate to politically motivated violence, terrorism and violent extremism in Australia. It will consider pathways to radicalisation, the role of technology and encrypted communications, the use of algorithms in amplifying extremist content, and the radicalisation and grooming of minors, including through gaming and gaming-adjacent platforms.

The committee will also examine the obligations of digital platforms, gaming and messaging providers in detecting, reporting and responding to extremist content.

Committee Chair, Senator Raff Ciccone, said the hearing provides an important opportunity to better understand the evolving nature of radicalisation and its implications for Australia's security.

“Radicalisation is a complex and evolving challenge, particularly as online environments and new technologies increasingly shape how people communicate, access information and form communities," Senator Ciccone said.

“This first hearing will provide the committee with a solid base of evidence, including the current threat environment, the role of online platforms and technologies, and the measures in place to prevent and respond to radicalisation.

“I want to extend an invitation to people who have been personally affected by radicalisation," he said. "We recognise that these experiences can be deeply difficult and that coming forward may not be easy. If you feel able to share your experience, please consider contacting the secretariat, who can facilitate you giving evidence in a manner that protects your identity.

“The committee looks forward to hearing a broad range of perspectives as the inquiry progresses.”

Public hearing:

Wednesday, 21 October 2026
10am – 1pm AEDT
Committee Room 2S1, Parliament House, Canberra, and via videoconference

Program:

Time

Witness

10am

 eSafety Commissioner

11am

 Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and Australian Federal Police

12pm

 Department of Home Affairs

1pm

 Close

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

The committee has invited submissions to the inquiry by close of business Friday, October 30. Submissions should be prepared solely for this inquiry and should not be published prior to being accepted by the committee.

Further information about the inquiry and how to make a submission is available on the committee’s website: aph.gov.au/pjcis

 

ends

Defence Committee to hear from defence industry and government stakeholders in Adelaide and Perth

THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence will hold site visits and public hearings in Adelaide and Perth this week as part of its inquiry into the annual report of the Department of Defence 2024–25.

Chair of the Committee, Senator Deborah O’Neill said, "Uplifting Australia’s defence industry is crucial to building a more secure Australia. The committee is looking forward to speaking with state government and private sector representatives about the innovation, infrastructure and workforce capabilities needed to support the continued growth of Australia’s sovereign defence sector."

The committee will also visit defence bases in Adelaide and Perth, including Osborne Naval Shipyard and the Henderson Defence Precinct, which are critical to expanding Australia’s sovereign defence industry and the successful delivery of AUKUS.

Further information about the inquiry is available on its webpage.

Public hearing details

Date: Wednesday, 21 October 2026
Time: 9:45am – 1pm (ACDT)
Location: Kingston Room, Old Parliament House, North Terrace, Adelaide

Date: Friday, 23 October 2026
Time: 8:30am – 12pm (AWST)
Location: Commonwealth Parliamentary Offices, Exchange Tower, 2 The Esplanade, Perth

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

 

ends

Report published — strengthening Australia’s trade and investment relations with the countries of Africa

THE Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade has today presented and published its report for the inquiry into strengthening and expanding Australia’s trade and investment relations with the countries of Africa.

Chair of the Trade Subcommittee, Fiona Phillips MP, said, "The report highlights the substantial opportunities for Australia to deepen and expand its long-standing relations and economic engagement with one of the world’s fastest-growing regions.

"Africa is a diverse continent of 54 countries, and home to a rapidly expanding population, particularly its youth population, accelerating urbanisation, and regional economic integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)."

Mrs Phillips said, "While Australia has maintained a substantial, well-respected presence with mining investment, total trade and investment flows remain modest compared with the scale and diversity of opportunities emerging across the African continent. Australia must adopt a more strategic and coordinated approach to support Australian businesses seeking to enter and expand their presence in African markets.

"Our report makes 17 recommendations to the Australian Government to address barriers to trade and investment with African nations and unlock emerging opportunities that align with Australia’s many strengths across the resources sector, education and vocational training, agribusiness, digital technologies, supply chain logistics, and healthcare."

The committee’s recommendations include:

  • strengthening government-to-government engagement, including enhancing the capacity of Australia’s current diplomatic and trade footprint across the African continent;
  • a whole-of-government Australia-Africa risk differentiated trade and investment strategy, focused on priority regions and commercial sectors;
  • establishing an Australia-Africa Advisory Council to provide strategic advice to the Australian Government and industry;
  • implementing a formal African diaspora engagement framework with structured mechanisms for consultation and collaboration across diaspora communities and government;
  • an Africa market intelligence and risk mitigation initiative to address market information gaps and de-risk market entry for Australian businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises;
  • coordinated Australian Government trade promotion campaigns highlighting Australian expertise that align with African emerging opportunities and supporting regular trade missions to and from the African continent;
  • developing a targeted Australia-Africa tertiary and vocational training partnership program.

The report can be accessed and downloaded here.

 

ends

Critical minerals inquiry in Melbourne and Horsham

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

On Monday, October 19, in Melbourne, the committee will hear from a range of stakeholders, including mining and mineral processing companies, academics, engagement professionals, and the Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations, about the social licence requirements and economic potential of critical minerals projects.

On Wednesday, October 21, in Horsham, the committee will meet with representatives of local communities and local governments in a region shaped economically and socially by agriculture to explore the challenges created by potential land-use conflict.

Committee Chair, Meryl Swanson, said, "The committee understands that for some parts of Australia critical minerals presents significant challenges as well as important opportunities. Through the upcoming hearings in Melbourne and Horsham, the Committee will explore both the challenges and the opportunities presented by the integration of critical minerals with existing industries in established farming regions."

More information on the inquiry, including the full terms of reference and details on making a submission, can be found on the inquiry website. The committee will travel to other regions across the country in the coming months.

Public hearings

Date: Monday, 19 October 2026
Time: 9am – 3.20pm (AEDT)
Location:Hearing Room 3, 55 St Andrews Place, East Melbourne.

Date: Wednesday, 21 October 2026
Time: 10.20am – 2.30pm (AEDT)
Location:Council Chambers, Horsham Rural City Council Civic Centre, Horsham.

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.

 

ends

The road ahead for end-of-life tyres

THE House Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation and Science has today tabled its report, When the rubber hits the road: inquiry into the Australian tyre industry, recommending steps to build a stronger circular economy for tyres.

The committee’s report finds that while tyres are essential to Australia’s economy and transport networks, significant challenges remain in the management of end-of-life tyres.

The report has made 12 recommendations, including developing a nationally harmonised regulatory framework, improving the recovery and management of off-the-road tyres, auditing and strengthening tyre stewardship arrangements, and supporting the tyre retreading industry.

Committee Chair, Rob Mitchell MP, said, "End-of-life tyres are not the end of the story. This inquiry found they should be seen as the beginning of a new opportunity, with valuable materials that can be recovered, recycled, and put back to work in the economy.

"This is not simply an environmental issue. It is an economic opportunity. Australia has the chance to create jobs, support regional industries and reduce waste by making better use of the resources already at our disposal.

"The future of the industry will be defined by how successfully we turn waste into value. The committee’s recommendations are intended to help Australia seize that opportunity and build a stronger, more sustainable tyre industry for the future."

The report is available on the inquiry webpage, along with the terms of reference, submissions, and transcripts of public hearings.

 

ends

PJCIS tables two new reports

THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has tabled two new reports.

The advisory report on the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 examines proposed changes to the high risk terrorist offender post-sentence order framework and control order regime. It recommends the passage of the bill, and other broader changes.

Chair of the PJCIS, Senator Raff Ciccone, said, "Post-sentence orders and control orders are serious and extraordinary mechanisms for dealing with individuals who pose a risk to the community.

"Evidence provided to the committee demonstrated that there are areas where the high risk terrorist offender framework can be improved on, while still prioritising community safety."

The PJCIS also tabled its annual Review of Administration and Expenditure that examines the administration, expenditure and financial statements of Australia's National Intelligence Community agencies in the 2024-25 financial year. The review is part of a strict oversight and accountability framework within which these agencies operate.

Both reports are available on the committee’s website: aph.gov.au/pjcis

 

ends

Treaties Committee recommends ratification of agreements on Fiji cooperation, space and customs

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:

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

 

ends

Critical minerals and regional Australia

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.

 

ends

Audit Committee tables report into 2023-24 and 2024-25 Major Projects Reports

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.”

 

ends

More Articles …