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.

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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

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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:

• Amendments to Annex II to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade
• Amendments to Annexes A, B and C to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants
• 2025 Amendments to Annex A of the Minamata Convention on Mercury

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

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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.

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