THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport will finalise its public hearing program when the Department of Social Services (DSS) and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts (DITRDCSA) attend its inquiry into local government funding.

The committee wants to learn more about how both departments manage their responsibilities in relation to the financial sustainability of local government. This includes how local governments are using Commonwealth funding to deliver services and programs, including family support services and infrastructure investments funded through DITRDCSA.

Committee Chair, Fiona Phillips, said, “The committee wants to better understand how both departments manage significant Commonwealth funding to local governments. We will be interested in hearing about the support available to councils, especially smaller regional and rural councils, to navigate funding arrangements for the benefit of their communities.”

The committee will explore with DSS the processes for councils to apply for grants such as through the Strong and Resilient Communities program. The committee will also hear from DITRDCSA to explore the barriers to accessing funding and how the Commonwealth can improve the effectiveness and coordination of funding provided to local governments.

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

Public hearing

Date: Thursday, 17 September 2026
Time: 11.20am – 1pm
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

THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) has tabled a report recommending binding treaty action be taken on four treaties.

• Agreement between the Government of Australia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Support and Procurement Organisation (NSPO) on Acquisition and Support Cooperation;
• Agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Government of Australia relating to Air Services;
• Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of Kiribati relating to Air Services;
• Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Republic of Nauru relating to Air Services.

The NSPO Agreement will enable Australia to engage with NSPO services and programmes. It includes provisions for the NSPO’s legal status in Australia, certain privileges and immunities, and other related matters necessary for the creation of future implementing agreements and the growth of the Australia-NSPO relationship.

The Air Services Agreements will provide a solid legal foundation for scheduled international air services to be operated between Australia and three partners: Cambodia, Kiribati and Naoero. The Air Services Agreements are based on a template model agreement and have substantially similar provisions to others recently considered by the committee.

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

ends

THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has today tabled its report for the inquiry into Commonwealth Financial Statements 2023-24 and 2024-25, together with its Annual Report for 2025-26.

Commonwealth Financial Statements 2023-24 and 2024-25: The committee's report examines the findings from the Australian National Audit Office's audits of the Commonwealth Financial Statements for 2023-24 and 2024-25.

Committee Chair Josh Burns MP said, "The IT control environment continues to account for the largest proportion of audit findings. It is clear to the committee that IT governance and controls remain a persistent challenge for government entities."

Mr Burns said the committee also considered legislative non-compliance, including breaches of the Australian Constitution, which had increased across the two audit periods.

"While entities are taking active steps towards remediation, the committee remains concerned by the number of breaches that persist across multiple audit cycles," Mr Burns said.

The growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies across the public sector was also of interest to the committee.

Mr Burns said, "While the committee did not investigate the use of AI across the public sector in depth, it will continue to monitor whether governance frameworks are keeping pace with the rate of adoption and the range of emerging use cases."

Annual Report 2025-26: Under the Public Accounts and Audit Committee Act 1951, the committee is required to report annually to the Parliament on the work it has undertaken. The report covers the committee’s activities in 2025–26, including non-inquiry activities in line with its legislative responsibilities.

The reports can be downloaded on the Committee’s website.

ends

THE Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works has recently commenced two new inquiries into proposed works by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) under the Public Works Committee Act 1969.

The ATO is proposing to fit-out approximately 22,000 square metres of office accommodation at its existing premises at 747 Collins Street, Docklands, Victoria. The ATO currently leases 38,375sqm at the site, which it intends to reduce by 16,000 sqm in a renegotiated lease with the building’s landlord, commencing in May 2027.

The reduced Net Lettable Area will result in an occupational density of around 7-8sqm to allow the office to fall within the government’s occupational density target of 14sqm per occupied work point. The proposed fit-out works are intended to provide a fit-for-purpose flexible workspace that meets the ATO’s current and future needs in a cost-effective manner, while accommodating for workforce fluctuations and changing attendance patterns. The total estimated cost of the proposed project is $94.74 million (excluding GST).

DFAT is seeking Parliamentary approval to commence works on the Australian High Commission in Suva, Republic of Fiji. The proposed works would extend the High Commission’s chancery, deliver a mid-life upgrade to the base building, and undertake a tenant fit-out refurbishment of the premises.

The proposed extension has been funded as part of the Pacific Infrastructure Programme New Policy Proposal 'Enhancing Pacific Infrastructure and Engagement' which was approved in the 2024-25 Federal Budget. The total estimated cost of the proposed works is $80.3 million (excluding GST).

The committee has invited interested individuals and organisations to make submissions by Thursday, October 22 this year. More information is available on the Committee’s website.

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.

ends