THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport has launched a new inquiry into the funding and financial sustainability of local governments in Australia.

Committee Chair, Fiona Phillips, said, "The committee wants to gain a deeper understanding of the financial relationship between local government and other levels of government in Australia, with a particular emphasis on funding mechanisms and fiscal sustainability."

The inquiry aims to identify how funding arrangements affect local government’s ability to deliver services and invest in local infrastructure by identifying all sources of government funding received by local governments.

The committee will also be exploring how to overcome barriers to infrastructure service delivery. It will consider trends in attracting and retaining a skilled workforce, impediments to security for local government workers and the impacts of labour hire practices.

The committee will be considering whether existing funding mechanisms are addressing the evolving responsibilities of local governments.

The committee said it welcomes submissions from interested organisations and individuals by February 3, 2026. Further information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and how to contribute, is available on the committee’s website.

Evidence provided to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport inquiry into Local Government Sustainability of the 47^th Parliament will be considered as part of this new inquiry.

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• the Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia relating to Air Services;
• the Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Republic of Colombia relating to Air Services; and
• the Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Republic of Peru relating to Air Services.

These agreements establish the first treaty-level air services relationships between Australia and the countries of Saudi Arabia, Colombia and Peru.

Each agreement will enable the development and operations of international air services between Australia and the respective countries. They outline provisions relating to safety, security, regulatory compliance and commercial arrangements. These Agreements will benefit Australian travellers and businesses and will expand opportunities in tourism and export sectors.

Committee Chair, Lisa Chesters MP said, “Air Services Agreements play an important role in enhancing Australia’s global connectivity. The committee found these three agreements are expected to deliver economic benefits, particularly in tourism, education and trade.”

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

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THE Australian tyre industry, and its challenges and opportunities in the circular economy, will be the focus of a new inquiry by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation and Science.

Australia generates more than 67 million end-of-life tyres each year, with many ending up in landfill, stockpiles, or exported without adequate oversight.

Improving innovation in the Australian tyre industry presents major opportunities to reinforce domestic manufacturing capabilities and facilitate the development of new markets for recycled materials, contributing to waste reduction and improved resource efficiency.

Committee Chair, Rob Mitchell MP, said, "It’s time for the rubber to hit the road. We want to understand the full lifecycle of a tyre, and how circular economy practices in reuse, retreading and resource recovery can be improved.

"A key focus for the committee will be the development of high-value uses for tyre-derived materials, including tyre designs, recycling processes and alternative materials," Mr Mitchell said.

The inquiry will also consider product stewardship schemes, infrastructure needs, regulatory settings, and environmental and community impacts.

"We are seeking input from all parts of the sector, from manufacturers and recyclers to researchers and community organisations," Mr Mitchell said.

"This is a critical part of our economy with huge potential for innovation. We want to hear about how the Australian Government can support the tyre industry to become more sustainable into the future."

The committee invited written submissions addressing the inquiry terms of reference by Friday, January 23, 2026.

Further information, including the terms of reference and details on how to make a submission can be found on the Committee’s website.

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT) has adopted a new inquiry into gender equality as a national security and economic security imperative.

Chair of the JSCFADT, Shayne Neumann MP, said, “Gender equality is important on so many fronts. We’ve talked about how important it is for productivity, but this inquiry is a great opportunity to have a broader conversation about the role it plays in Australia’s economic and national security, and international security as a whole.”

Chair of the Human Rights Subcommittee, Tony Zappia MP, said, “We know that when a crisis happens, whether conflict or climate disaster, women and girls are disproportionately impacted and gender equality suffers.

"This was acknowledged 25 years ago when the United Nations Security Council adopted the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. The committee hopes to explore how Australia can better contribute to efforts by the international community in advancing and implementing this agenda.”

Key themes of the inquiry’s focus include:

• The economic security and national security benefits of realising gender equality for every person, and how the integration of gender equality across foreign policy supports this objective;
• Evidence and data that demonstrates the links between gender equality and economic growth and prosperity, including in food security and labour markets;
• The international and national security implications of undermining gender equality, including in the context of humanitarian crises and climate change;
• The role of locally-led leadership and decision making in advancing gender equality and the Women, Peace and Security Agenda;
• The Australian government's efforts to advance gender equality and the human rights of women and girls across all aspects of foreign policy, defence and national security;
• The Women, Peace and Security agenda internationally and Australia's role in promoting and implementing it.

The subcommittee is now inviting written submissions by Tuesday, 20 January 2026.

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THE Electoral Matters Committee is inviting community input on the recent Federal Election at its upcoming hearings.

Committee Chair, Jerome Laxale MP said, "I’m excited to be bringing these hearings home to New South Wales. The committee has already learned a lot from some of the eye-opening submissions coming out of the State.

"We really want to keep hearing from community members about their experiences during the 2025 Federal Election. These community statements can tell you so much about how our elections can leave an impact on people’s lives."

The committee will be holding hearings in Dapto (November 19, 2025) and Parramatta (November 20, 2025). As part of these hearings, members of the public will be invited to get on the record by making short verbal statements of up to five minutes.

"We want to hear from you about your 2025 election experience, whether you have put in a submission or not," Mr Laxale said.

"You will just need to tell us what you wish to talk to the committee about and a bit about how you participated in the election. The more people we hear from on the day, the better informed the committee will be," he said.

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

Further information on the 2025 election inquiry can be found at the inquiry webpage. Committee details can be found at the Committee’s webpage.

Public hearing details

Date: Wednesday, 19 November 2025
Location: Berkeley Neighbourhood Centre, 40 Winnima Way, Berkeley NSW 2506

Date: Thursday, 20 November 2025
Location: Mantra Parramatta, Cnr Parkes St and Valentine Ave, Parramatta NSW 2150

Programs for these upcoming hearings will be advertised on the Committee’s public hearings webpage as they are finalised. The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT), through the Foreign Affairs and Aid Subcommittee, has commenced an inquiry into the role of Australia's international development program in preventing conflict.

The inquiry was referred by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong with the below terms of reference.

Chair of the JSCFADT, Shayne Neumann MP, said, "We are operating in a geopolitical context of change and uncertainty, and we are deeply concerned at how conflicts around the world are exacerbating existing humanitarian crises in many regions."

Chair of the Foreign Affairs and Aid Subcommittee, Tim Watts MP, said, "In an increasingly complex and contested international environment the challenge of conflict prevention is becoming more acute."

The inquiry will consider the role of Australia's international development program in preventing conflict, with particular reference to:

1. the role of Australia's international development program in building resilience in fragile states, including by strengthening community and civic participation, governance, security reform and human capital;
2. the strategic use of Australia's international development program to prevent conflict in the Indo-Pacific;
3. options for effective support through Australia's aid program in pre-conflict and/or post-conflict zones;
4. the impact of international development in the maintenance of peace and prevention of conflict, including for early identification and mitigation of conflict; and
5. any related matters.

The subcommittee is now inviting written submissions responding to the inquiry’s terms of reference by January 20, 2026.

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THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) will be holding a hearing on Friday for its inquiry into the 2023–24 Defence Major Projects Report.

Date:               Friday, 7 November 2025

Time:              9am – 11am (AEDT)

Venue:            Committee Room 2S3, Parliament House

Witnesses:     Department of Defence; Australian National Audit Office  

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

Details on the inquiry—including terms of reference and submissions—are available on the Committee’s website.

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THE Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works (the committee) will be holding a site inspection and a series of public hearings on Friday (November 7) for three of its current inquiries.

The inquiries are:

• Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Black Mountain Greenhouse Redevelopment
• Australian Taxation Office—Proposed Fit-out of Leased Premises, Levels 5 to 10, 152 Wharf Street, Brisbane
• Services Australia—Proposed Fit-out of Leased Premises at 90 Crown Street, Wollongong, New South Wales.

The committee will conduct a site inspection at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisations (CSIRO) Black Mountain site in Canberra, with a public hearing at Australian Parliament House to follow.

The proposed works seek to replace critical infrastructure, including greenhouses, on Black Mountain which were damaged during the January 2020 hailstorm. The proposed works have a total estimated cost of $37.9 million.

The committee will conduct a public hearing into the Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO) proposed works which seek to fit-out levels 5 to 10 of its office at 152 Wharf St, Brisbane, Queensland. The proposed works have a total estimated cost of $29.17 million.

The committee will also conduct a public hearing into Services Australia’s proposed works which seek to fit-out its office at 90 Crown St, Wollongong, NSW. The proposed works have a total estimated cost of $22.34 million.

Mr Zappia MP said, "These public hearings will provide the committee with greater clarity about how the government continues to pursue the best value for taxpayer money in an evolving construction market."

The committee will hear from relevant officers from CSIRO, the ATO, and Services Australia at the hearings. Interested members of the public are encouraged to listen in to the public hearing via the APH website or attend the hearing in person at the location listed below.

Public hearing details

Date: Friday, 7 November 2025
Time: 10:15am–10:55am – CSIRO (AEDT)
Time: 12:05pm–12:45pm – ATO (AEDT)
Time: 2:20pm–3pm – Services Australia (AEDT)
Location: Committee Room 1R4, Australian Parliament House

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

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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