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Treaties Committee recommends ratification of Pacific Resilience Facility Agreement and Manipulation of Sports Competitions Convention

THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) has tabled a report recommending the ratification of the Agreement to Establish the Pacific Resilience Facility and the Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions.

The report also contains the minor treaty action 2025 Amendments to Annex I of the International Convention against Doping in Sport.

The Agreement to Establish the Pacific Resilience Facility establishes the Pacific Resilience Facility as an international funding organisation. The organisation will fund projects and grants aimed at strengthening the region’s capacity to address the accelerating impacts of climate change.

The committee found that the agreement aligns with Australia’s regional goals to build resilience and stability in the Pacific.

Committee Chair, Lisa Chesters MP said, “This is an innovative agreement for the Pacific and efforts targeting the effects of climate change. Australia is a longstanding member of the Pacific Islands Forum and supports Pacific initiatives. The agreement will allow Australia to increase its regional support in an organisation that is Pacific-designed, implemented and led.”

The Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions establishes a framework for countries to work collaboratively with sports organisations and betting operators to detect, prevent and punish manipulation of sports competitions. The convention also facilitates international cooperation to further sports integrity on a global scale.

Ms Chesters said, “Sport is a substantial part of Australian culture, identity and economy. Ratification of the convention will allow Australia to contribute to strengthening the global response to match fixing and illegal gambling, two issues that threaten the integrity of Australia’s sport industry.”

The committee found that ratifying the convention would allow Australia to fortify its current regulatory and legislative framework. This would allow Australia to continue leading sports integrity efforts globally.

Throughout the inquiry process, the committee held public hearings for both treaties and heard from a range of stakeholders.

Australia supports ratification of these treaties and recommends that binding treaty action be taken.

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

 

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Public hearings commence for inquiry into gender equality as a national security and economic security imperative

THE Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade through its Human Rights Subcommittee will hold its first public hearing for its inquiry into gender equality as a national security and economic security imperative on Friday, March 27.

Chair of the Human Rights Subcommittee, Tony Zappia MP, said, "Australia is a global champion of gender equality. The subcommittee will hear from government departments responsible for Australia’s foreign policy, defence and national security, to understand how the Australian government is promoting gender equality in this period of shifting global norms.

"The Department of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade is the whole-of-government lead on the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. The subcommittee will hear from implementation partners of Australia’s action plan for Women, Peace and Security, including representatives from DFAT, the Department of Home Affairs, the Department of Defence and the Australian Federal Police.

"The subcommittee also looks forward to hearing from representatives from the Office for Women and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research on issues relevant to the inquiry terms of reference, including the importance of gender equality to economic prosperity and food security, and their expertise on gender-responsive budgeting, research and policymaking."

Further information, including the full terms of reference, is available on the Inquiry webpage.

Public Hearing Details

Date: Friday 27 March 2026
Time: 9am–12:45pm (AEDT)
Location: Committee Room 1R4, Parliament House, Canberra

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

 

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Critical minerals advance Australia - Parliamentary hearing

THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Primary Industries will hold its first public hearing on Thursday, March 26, as part of its inquiry into factors shaping social licence and economic development outcomes for critical minerals projects across Australia.

The committee will hear from the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR), whose submission highlights the role of critical minerals within the Australian Government’s $22.7 billion Future Made in Australia Plan (FMA).

DISR said, "Critical minerals are a cornerstone of the FMA, with critical minerals processing identified as a priority under the National Interest Framework due to its supply chain vulnerabilities."

The DISR submission also highlights the potential growth from increasing raw exports of critical minerals, and the further opportunities in expanding downstream refining and processing.

Committee Chair, Meryl Swanson, said, "Critical minerals are a cornerstone of the modern economy—critical to developments in AI, defence and renewable energy. They present enormous opportunities for Australia, but also real challenges. Ensuring the social licence of critical mineral projects will be key to maximising benefits while minimising impacts."

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: Thursday, 26 March 2026
Time: 9.45am – 11am (AEDT)
Location: Committee Room 1R2, 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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ACFID to give evidence at public hearing for conflict prevention inquiry

THE Foreign Affairs and Aid Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will hear from the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) as part of its Inquiry into the role of Australia's international development program in preventing conflict on Thursday March 26.

Chair of the Foreign Affairs and Aid Subcommittee, the Tim Watts MP, said the subcommittee looked forward to hearing from ACFID, Australia’s peak body for international development NGOs.

"ACFID represents organisations working at the frontline of peacebuilding, humanitarian response and community resilience across our region," Mr Watts said. "Their on‑the‑ground experience will give the subcommittee critical insights into the effectiveness of Australia’s development program in conflict settings."

Witnesses from ACFID will be joined by representatives from Conciliation Resources and Action Aid Australia, two ACFID member organisations who contributed to the submission from ACFID as well as providing their own submissions to the inquiry.

Mr Watts said the hearing would provide an opportunity for the subcommittee to explore the practical realities of conflict‑prevention work in fragile and conflict‑affected states.

Further information, including the full terms of reference, is available on the Inquiry webpage.

Public Hearing Details

Date: Thursday 26 March 2026

Time: 8am–9am (AEDT)

Location: Committee Room 1R4, Parliament House, Canberra

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

 

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Employment Committee to hear from government on employee entitlements

THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Workplace Relations, Skills and Training will hold a public hearing on Thursday, March 26, as part of its inquiry into the operation and adequacy of the National Employment Standards (NES).

The inquiry was referred to the committee on November 27, 2025, by Employment and Workplace Relations Minister, Amanda Rishworth MP.

The NES set out the minimum terms and conditions of employment for all national system employees, alongside modern awards. Together, they form the safety net that underpins Australia’s workplace relations system.

At the public hearing, the committee will examine how effectively the NES protect employee entitlements, how well the standards are understood and complied with in practice, and the role of government agencies in administering and enforcing the framework.

Committee Chair, Dr Carina Garland MP, said the hearing would provide an important opportunity to hear directly from the federal government.

"The committee seeks to examine how the National Employment Standards (NES) are operating for Australian workers, employers, and the broader economy. In particular, it aims to understand the government’s perspective on whether the NES remain fit for purpose in 2026, and to identify any gaps or challenges affecting employees’ access to their minimum entitlements."

The committee will hear evidence from:

  • the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations;
  • the Fair Work Ombudsman.

Further information is available on the committee’s website.

Public hearing details

Date: Thursday 26 March 2026
Time: 9am to 10am
Location: Committee Room 2R2, Parliament House Canberra and online.

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

 

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