THE Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters is holding a public hearing on Friday, August 21, with representatives of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church and Advance, as part of its inquiry into the conduct of the 2025 Federal Election.

"The committee has heard many reports about significant and apparently coordinated disruption at polling booths during the 2025 election," Committee Chair, Jerome Laxale MP said. "The committee will be seeking to build its understanding of third party engagement to ensure a positive experience for voters in future elections.

"I look forward to the cooperation of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church and Advance at the hearing," Mr Laxale said.

The program for the hearing is available on the committee’s public hearings webpage. The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

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

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THE Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) have welcomed the appointment of Royal Commission and announcement of the Terms of Reference into crime and misconduct in Vitoria's construction industry.  

For too long allegations about crime and corruption on Victorian building sites have threatened the integrity of taxpayer funded infrastructure projects, fundamentally undermining public trust in the sector and the state's capital program.  

Last month, VCCI and ACCI came together to call for a Royal Commission in a bid to restore confidence and public trust in this vital industry along with a range of other important measures to prevent and tackle corruption.  

VCCI has long called for the expansion of IBAC's powers and welcomes the government's indication it will advance legislation to deliver this.  

VCCI chief executive Sally Curtain said, “Those involved in the industry who are honest and hardworking deserve a system that protects them, not one that enables intimidation, coercion or criminal gain.

“It is vital we get to the bottom of what’s occurred and put in place mechanisms to prevent it from happening in the future.

“Restoring confidence in the sector requires clear rules, stronger enforcement and the political will to act.  It is encouraging that Premier Ben Carroll has moved quickly to establish this Royal Commission.” 

ACCI chief executive officer Andrew McKellar said, “Corruption has infected the Victorian construction sector to its core, and only a Royal Commission can expose its full extent and drive the systemic change required.

“We welcome the Victorian Premier’s decision to establish this inquiry, which must be fearless and prepared to pursue wrongdoing wherever the evidence leads.

“Victorians deserve to know that every taxpayer dollar spent on infrastructure is protected from corruption, intimidation and criminal influence.” 

www.victorianchamber.com.au

www.acci.com.au

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Migration will be holding public hearings in Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast in the coming days for its inquiry into the value of skilled migration to Australia.  

These build on public hearings already held in Canberra, Adelaide, and Sydney earlier this year. The committee will hear more perspectives from stakeholders involved in the migration system, including industry associations, migration agents and lawyers, academics, migrant support and community services, and vocational education providers.

In Melbourne, the committee’s focus will be on the business and technology sectors, and migration agents, legal and settlement services.

Moving to Brisbane and the Gold Coast, the committee will hear from South East Queensland-based multicultural organisations providing education and settlement services for migrants, as well as unions and employers.

“Throughout the inquiry, the committee has heard about the important role the skilled migration program plays in Australia’s economy,” Committee Chair, Steve Georganas MP, said. “At these hearings, we look forward to engaging with the business community to better understand if the program is meeting the needs of employers in key and emerging sectors.

"We are also interested in learning more about initiatives to encourage and support migrants to build their skills and settle in local communities, including pathways from education to skilled migration visas.”

The committee expects to conduct additional hearings in Canberra later this year. More details about the inquiry, including the terms of reference, submissions, public hearing transcripts, and upcoming public hearings are available on the committee’s website.

Public hearing details 

Melbourne  
Date: Friday, 21 August 2026  
Time: 9.30am to 4.20pm AEST
Location: Flinders Room, Mantra on Russell, 222 Russell Street, Melbourne.

Brisbane
Date: Monday, 24 August 2026 
Time: 10.20am to 3.20pm AEST
Location: Committee Room 1, Queensland Parliament, Corner George and Alice Streets, Brisbane.

Gold Coast  
Date: Tuesday, 25 August 2026 
Time: 9am to 12.50pm AEST
Location: Apollo Room 1, Mantra Legends Hotel, 25 Laycock Street, Surfers Paradise.

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

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THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has today tabled its report for its review of the Australia’s Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Amendment Bill 2026, recommending that the Bill be passed by the Parliament.

The Bill strengthens, streamlines and clarifies Australia’s Foreign Arrangements Scheme, delivering on recommendations from the 2025 independent review led by Rosemary Huxtable AO PSM.

At the heart of the reforms is a fundamental shift, moving the Scheme's focus from Australia's narrower 'foreign relations' to the broader concept of the 'national interest' – a change the committee says is overdue given the current strategic environment.

The Committee received 11 submissions from stakeholders, including universities, local government representatives, academics and relevant Commonwealth agencies, and held a public hearing in Canberra on August 6.

Committee Chair Senator Raff Ciccone said the committee had weighed the evidence carefully, particularly the implications of broadening the Bill's scope.

“Australia’s economic security, national security, research capability, foreign policy and international engagement are increasingly interconnected,” Senator Ciccone said.

“The proposed amendments more accurately reflect the contemporary strategic environment and will allow foreign arrangements to be assessed against the full range of Australia’s national interests.”

The reforms also cut red tape and sharpen the scheme's focus on higher-risk activities. Key changes include a one-step notification process for non-core arrangements, reduced approval requirements for minor variations, clearer institutional autonomy provisions for foreign universities and improvements to the public register.

The committee concluded that the amendments strike the right balance between maintaining Commonwealth visibility and oversight of foreign arrangements that may affect Australia’s national interest, while cutting unnecessary regulatory burden for lower-risk activities.

Further details on the review and the report are available on the committee’s website: aph.gov.au/pjcis

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