THE Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs is starting its interstate public hearings in Sydney this week for its inquiry into racism, hate and violence directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The first hearing will be held in Sydney on Friday, May 1 and will bring together a broad range of organisations, researchers, community leaders and advocates to provide evidence to the committee.

Witnesses scheduled to appear include national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education and academic experts, and veterans’ representatives.

Following recent events at ANZAC day commemorations, the final session of the day will hear evidence from Reverand Dr Ray Minniecon and the RSL NSW acting president, retired Brigadier Vince Williams. This will focus on the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander veterans.

Committee Chair, Mutthi Mutthi and Wamba Wamba woman Senator Jana Stewart, said, “These hearings provide an important opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, organisations, researchers and advocates to share their experiences and insights directly with the committee.

“Racism, hate and violence have real and lasting impacts. Hearing firsthand evidence is essential to understanding the scale and nature of the problem and identifying meaningful responses.”

The inquiry is examining the prevalence, impacts and drivers of racism, hate and violence, as well as existing responses and opportunities for reform. Evidence gathered during the hearings will inform the committee’s final report to Parliament.

Further interstate public hearings will continue in other locations as part of the inquiry.

Information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and how to contribute, is available on the committee’s website.

The committee and secretariat have advised they are unable to provide counselling, advice, or support for individuals. Help is available:

For First Nations people:

• 13YARN: 13 92 76
• Brother to Brother: 1800 435 799
• Yarning SafeNStrong: 1800 959 563

For all people:

• Lifeline: Call 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
• MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978
• Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800
• Headspace: 1800 650 890
• Suicide Call Back Service:1300 659 467
• 1800 Respect: 1800 737 732

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SMALL-TO-MEDIUM arts organisations along with peak bodies are giving evidence next Monday at public hearing roundtables to discuss boosting arts and cultural philanthropy.

Chair of the House Standing Committee on Communications, the Arts and Sport, Susan Templeman MP, said, “Small-to-medium arts organisations are an essential part of our cultural sector. They nurture talent, build careers and provide transformative opportunities for creatives.

“Public funding should provide a bedrock of support for small to medium organisations, but we also don’t want them to miss out on the opportunity to access philanthropic support.

“Hearing from these organisations along with the peak bodies that represent them will ensure that their experiences are front and centre when considering how to boost Australia’s philanthropic giving.”

Public hearing details are below, along with the full terms of reference available on the inquiry webpage.

More information about the committee, including membership, may be found on the Committee’s website.

Public hearing details

Date: Monday, 4 May 2026
Time: 10am – 1pm (Canberra time)
Location: Committee Room 2R2, Parliament House, Canberra

Watch on YouTube @AUSParliamentLive or ParlView.

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HOUSING Industry Association (HIA) managing director Jocelyn Martin has acknowledged the work performed by Mark Irving KC and his decision to step away from the administration of the CFMEU.

Ms Martin also reiterated HIA's statement reiterating "the importance of maintaining momentum on meaningful, long‑term cultural reforms across the building and construction sector".

“HIA recognises the role the administrator has played in highlighting serious impropriety and governance problems within unionised parts of the industry," Ms Martin said.

“What matters now is ensuring those issues are addressed through durable, system‑wide reform that improves behaviour, productivity and trust.

“HIA emphasises the importance of urgently progressing the National Construction Industry Forum (NCIF) Blueprint for Reform. This Blueprint provides a practical and balanced roadmap through its tripartite membership, which includes HIA, to address poor workplace culture, strengthen compliance and lift standards across the sector," Ms Martin said.

"HIA also welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Amanda Rishworth, of a consultation process on establishing a new Building and Construction Industry Standard, describing it as a significant opportunity to reset expectations across the industry -- if implemented carefully and pragmatically.

“It is critical that any new industry standard supports lawful behaviour, cultural improvement and accountability, without imposing unnecessary barriers on legitimate businesses -- particularly small and medium residential builders and contractors," she said.

“It is particularly important that access to Commonwealth‑funded work is not contingent on employers being covered by enterprise agreements. The housing sector relies heavily on small businesses and subcontractors and reforms must not recreate settings that exclude capable employers or distort competition on Commonwealth‑funded projects.

“The proposed areas of focus for the new Industry Standard -- including removing veto power over subcontractor choice, permanently excluding proven bad actors through fit and proper person tests, improving coordination between regulators, addressing the influence of unlawful intermediaries, strengthening whistleblower protections and improving dispute resolution -- have the potential to drive genuine cultural change if implemented equitably and consistently and appropriately enforced.

“HIA strongly supports measures that stamp out unlawful conduct such as coercion, bribery or misuse of power and return the ‘rule of law’ to construction sites," Ms Martin said.

“Conversely, any reform must not unnecessarily burden compliant businesses doing the right thing, by inadvertently imposing requirements that are not fit for purpose and intended to target systemic bad behaviours.

"The consultation process must be genuine, transparent and nationally consistent, with a strong focus on practical outcomes that improve industry culture while supporting productivity and workforce participation.

“Reform of this scale cannot be symbolic. Getting the next phase of the CFMEU’s administration and implementation of the NCIF Blueprint and industry standard right is essential to restoring confidence, supporting housing supply and ensuring the construction sector remains an attractive place to work and invest,” Ms Martin said.

www.hia.com.au

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THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) will hold a public hearing on Wednesday (April 29) as part of its inquiry into the Commonwealth Financial Statements 2023-24 and 2024-25.

Committee Chair Josh Burns MP, said, "This hearing provides the committee an opportunity to examine key themes identified through the Australian National Audit Office’s (ANAO) audit of the Commonwealth Financial Statements.

"Of particular interest to the committee are entity compliance with legislation including section 83 of the Constitution; the IT control environment and best practice in resolving issues; and the increasing use of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, across the public service."

Public hearing details

Date: Wednesday 29 April 2026

Time: 9.30am to 12.30pm (AEST)

Location: 2R1 and online

Witnesses:

• Session 1: Compliance with legislation, including section 83 of the Constitution (9.30am to 10.25am)
  • ANAO
  • Australian Centre for Agricultural Research
  • Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicine Authority
  • Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
  • Services Australia
    
    
• Session 2: IT control environment (10.30am to 11.20am)
  • ANAO
  • Department of Defence
  • Department of Finance
  • NBN Co Limited
    
    
• Session 3: Increasing use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (11.35am to 12.30pm)
  • ANAO
  • Australian Public Service Commission
  • Australian Taxation Office
  • Department of Finance
  • Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
  • Digital Transformation Agency

The hearing will be broadcast live on the Parliament House website at www.aph.gov.au/live.

Details of the inquiry – including the terms of reference and public hearings – will be made available on the Committee website.

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will hold public hearings in Melbourne and Sydney as part of its inquiry into strengthening Australia’s trade and investment relations with Africa.

Subcommittee Chair, Fiona Phillips MP said, "These hearings will allow the subcommittee to engage directly with organisations and individuals based in Victoria and New South Wales and hear unique and important insights into how Australia can strengthen its trade and investment relations with Africa.

"The subcommittee will hear from a variety of organisations and individuals, including across business, media, logistics and community groups, each of whom will have the opportunity to share their perspectives on the changing demographic and economic opportunities across Africa’s diverse markets."

In Melbourne, the subcommittee will hear from:

• Mr Gebreselasie Gebru;
• Australia Africa Chamber of Commerce;
• Australia Zimbabwe Business Council;
• African Professionals of Australia Limited;
• Australian Industry Group;
• Africa Media Australia;
• Emerging Brand Africa;
• Sanctuary Global Enterprises;
• Ms Bronwen Halfpenny MP, Member for Thomastown.

In Sydney, the subcommittee will hear from:

• Vitti Capital: African Professionals of Australia; African Advocacy Centre; Western Sydney University;
• Kenya Community NSW;
• Food Markies / Multicultural Food Hub;
• Export Council of Australia.

"The evidence gathered at these hearings will identify opportunities and barriers to Australia’s trade and investment with African nations and inform recommendations to the Australian Government,’ Mrs Phillips said.

Public Hearing Details

Melbourne

Date: Wednesday, 29 April 2026 
Time: 9am – 3pm (AEST)
Location: Parliament of Victoria, 55 St Andrews Place, Melbourne – Hearing Room 3 Davui

Sydney

Date: Thursday, 30 April 2026
Time: 9am – 11:35am (AEST)
Location: Commonwealth Parliamentary Offices, Level 21, 1 Bligh Street, Sydney – Meeting Room 1

Programs for each public hearing are available on the inquiry website.

Public hearings are broadcast live on the Australian Parliament House Streaming Portal.

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport will begin its interstate hearings in Melbourne and Sydney next week as part of its inquiry into local government funding.

The committee wants to better understand the funding challenges faced by local government and its workers who provide infrastructure and deliver services to residents of two of Australia’s largest cities in Melbourne and Sydney, and to fast growing regional areas nearby in both Victoria and NSW.

Committee Chair, Fiona Phillips said, “The committee is looking forward to learning more about the fiscal sustainability of local government in both Victoria and NSW, potential solutions to current challenges, and the impacts of rising demands on the sector’s workforce.”

Hearings will begin in Melbourne on Tuesday (April 28) where the committee will hear from local government representative bodies, unions, metropolitan councils and regional councils. The committee will explore a range of issues including grant distribution processes, workforce issues, and labour market conditions across Victoria.

The committee will then travel to Sydney for hearings on Thursday (April 30) and Friday (May 1) to hear from academic experts, state government officials, councils from metropolitan, regional and outer‑urban areas, unions, and other stakeholders. Discussions will cover financial sustainability, insurance and risk, workforce challenges, and broader pressures facing local government across New South Wales.

Programs for each public hearing are available on the inquiry webpage.

Further information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and how to contribute, is available on the Committee’s website.

Public hearing details

Date: Tuesday, 28 April 2026
Time: 9am – 5.25pm
Location: Melbourne

Date: Thursday, 30 April 2026
Time: 12.45pm – 5pm
Location: Sydney

Date: Friday, 1 May 2026
Time: 9am – 3.45pm
Location: Sydney

Public hearings are broadcast live on the Australian Parliament House Streaming Portal.

Details for upcoming public hearings and more information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference, submissions and transcripts of previous hearings, is available on the inquiry webpage.

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THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) will be holding hearings today (April 23), for its inquiries into the administration of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and the 2023–24 and 2024–25 Defence Major Projects Reports.

Committee Chair Josh Burns MP said, "The JCPAA has an important function to scrutinise the administration of major areas of government expenditure.

"Recent reports from the Australian National Audit Office suggest there are many areas for improvement in the administration of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and in Defence procurement, and the committee will examine some of these areas this week.

"The hearing into Defence procurement will focus on the 2023–24 and 2024–25 Defence Major Projects Reports, continuing the Committee’s commitment to scrutinising Defence expenditures.’

Date:               Thursday, 23 April 2026

Time:              10am – 1.30pm National Disability Insurance Scheme

                        2.30pm – 4.30pm Defence Major Projects Reports

Venue:            Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House

Witnesses:     Hearing into the administration of the National Disability Insurance Scheme

• National Disability Insurance Agency
• Board of the National Disability Insurance Agency
• National Disability Insurance Scheme Quality and Safeguards Commission
• Australian National Audit Office

Hearing into the 2023–24 and 2024-25 Defence Major Projects Reports

• Department of Defence
• Australian National Audit Office

The hearings will be broadcast live and will be accessible from the Parliament House website at https://www.aph.gov.au/live.

Details on the inquiry into the administration of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and inquiry into the 2023–24 and 2024-25 Major Projects Reports—including terms of references and submissions—are available on the committee’s website.

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BELL BAY JOINT UNIONS have called today’s State and Federal Government commitment, providing up to $3 million to secure wages for Liberty Bell Bay's workforce, a reprieve for workers that were on the precipice of losing their income on Friday.

The package, announced this morning by Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff and Federal Industry Minister Tim Ayres, temporarily guarantees wages for around 220 workers at the smelter while administrators attempt to fast-track its sale.

AWU assistant national secretary Chris Donovan spoke on behalf of Bell Bay Joint Unions -- the AWU, Mining and Energy Union (MEU), Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) and Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU) -- and said the move provided immediate relief to workers and their families, but cautioned any realistic sale timeline would require further wage support.

“This funding is welcome and it matters -- it keeps food on the table and a roof over the heads of hundreds of working families,” Mr Donovan said.

“But let’s be clear: this is a short-term lifeline, not a long-term solution. This site needs its workforce in place to be sold, and that process is likely to require months, not weeks.”

MEU general president Grahame Kelly said today’s announcement was welcome but both governments needed to go further. 

“Bell Bay workers have received some good news this morning, but unfortunately it’s not good enough,” said Mr Kelly.

“We need to see more money flowing to ensure certainty for local families as the sale of the smelter is finalised.

“Local workers should not have to pay the tab for the collapsing GFG empire whose financial mismanagement led to these problems. 

“The government is not responsible for this economic vandalism, but they do have a duty to avert potential economic disaster."

Liberty Bell Bay, Australia’s only manganese smelter, entered voluntary administration on March 23 after a protracted dispute between creditors and former owner GFG, with EY appointed to oversee administration.

Despite strong market interest and expectations of an accelerated sale, industry experts and unions have consistently warned that securing a buyer for such a unique, strategic asset cannot be rushed.

Mr Donovan said the smelter’s importance to Tasmania and the national economy demanded a more sustained intervention.

“This is a nationally significant asset -- the only one of its kind in Australia - and it supports hundreds of direct jobs and hundreds more in the community,” he said.

“You can’t flick the switch on a sale like this and hope for the best. If it’s even possible to rush a sale, that risks undermining the very jobs we’re trying to save.”

The AWU reiterated its call for both levels of government to extend wage guarantees to ensure the smelter’s workforce remains in place during administration.

“What workers need now is certainty -- not just for the next pay cycle, but for the months ahead,” Mr Donovan said.

“We are calling on governments to build on this first step and commit to the ongoing support needed to see this through. Anything less puts jobs, families and an entire regional economy at risk.”

Bell Bay Joint Unions said they would continue working with administrators, governments and potential buyers to secure a sustainable future for Liberty Bell Bay and its workforce.

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