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Critical minerals: shaping social licence and economic development outcomes

THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Primary Industries has launched an inquiry into factors shaping social licence and economic development outcomes in critical minerals projects across Australia and is seeking written submissions to guide the inquiry’s findings.

Committee Chair, Meryl Swanson, said, "Critical minerals are vital to the economic development of Australia and the world. They underpin technologies integral to modern communications, manufacturing, transport, energy and defence. They also provide Australia—a country rich in critical minerals—with a key competitive advantage, economically and strategically.

"Just as important, critical minerals offer significant opportunities for regional development, job creation, and skills growth, particularly in remote and Indigenous communities. A vital factor in delivering benefits that are both economically and socially sustainable is ensuring that critical mineral projects are developed responsibly, with strong community engagement and social licence.

"Capturing these development opportunities will require co-ordinated policy and effective collaboration across all jurisdictions," Ms Swanson said.

The committee said it welcomed written submissions providing recommendations in response to the terms of reference by Friday, February 27, 2026. Submissions are encouraged from a wide range of stakeholders, including government, peak bodies and mining companies, local communities, Indigenous bodies and academic experts.

More information on the inquiry, including the full terms of reference and details on making a submission, can be found on the inquiry website.

 

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JCPAA to continue scrutiny of Sport Integrity Australia

THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) will be holding a hearing on Friday for its inquiry into Sport Integrity Australia’s Management of the National Anti-Doping Scheme.

This will be the second public hearing with Sport Integrity Australia for this inquiry.

Date: Friday, December 12, 2025

Time: 12.30pm – 1.30pm (AEDT)

Witnesses: Sport Integrity Australia; Australian National Audit office.

Location: Online.

The hearing will be broadcast on the Parliament House website at www.aph.gov.au/live.

Details of this inquiry, including the terms of reference and submissions, are available on the committee’s website.

 

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Review into the listing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a state sponsor of terrorism

THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has commenced a review of the listing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a state sponsor of terrorism under the Criminal Code.

This follows ASIO’s assessment that the IRGC orchestrated cowardly attacks against Australia’s Jewish community – including the fires at Lewis’ Continental Kitchen in Sydney in October 2024 and the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne in December 2024. These attacks were designed to intimidate, sow fear and undermine Australia’s multicultural society.

Legislation enabling the listing of state sponsors of terrorism commenced on November 8, 2025 through the Criminal Code Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) Act 2025.

On November 27, the IRGC became the first entity listed under this framework. Listing activates criminal offences for directing, financing, recruiting for, or otherwise supporting a state sponsor of terrorism, with penalties of up to 25 years imprisonment.

The IRGC is a hybrid military-security organisation that operates independently from Iran’s conventional armed forces and reports directly to the Supreme Leader. It has a record of conducting internal security operations and hostile overseas activities.

Under subsection 110.7(2) of the Criminal Code, the PJCIS may review a listing at any time and report its comments and recommendations to both Houses of Parliament.

Chair of the PJCIS, Senator Raff Ciccone, said, “This is the first organisation listed as a state sponsor of terrorism under laws recently passed by the Australian Parliament.

“The committee’s review will give the Australian community an opportunity to have their say on the listing of the IRGC and ensure that appropriate processes have been followed."

Members of the public can make submissions to the review by January 23, 2026.

 

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Education Committee to hear from language and cultural educators

THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Education will hear from teachers, school associations, and community language educators today (December 8) as part of its inquiry into building Asia capability in Australia through the education system and beyond.

Committee Chair, Tim Watts MP, said, "Teachers and lecturers are at the heart of building Australia’s Asia capability. They’re not just teaching language. They’re opening doors to understanding cultures, building empathy, and preparing our young people to succeed in a region that will define our future.

"When we invest in teachers’ skills and resources, we’re investing in Australia’s ability to engage confidently and effectively with our neighbours," he said.

‘The committee is looking forward to hearing firsthand perspectives on the critical role teachers and lecturers play in building Asia capability. This hearing will explore how educators can embed language learning and cultural understanding in classrooms, and how we can support them to maintain and grow these capabilities into the future."

The committee will schedule further public hearings in 2026.

Public hearing

Date: Wednesday, 8 December 2025
Time: 9am – 3.15pm
Location: Committee Room 2R1, 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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Intelligence committee satisfied with intelligence agencies’ administration and expenditure

THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) today tabled its report for its annual review of administration and expenditure of six intelligence agencies..

In the review, covering the 2023-24 reporting period, the committee said it was satisfied that the agencies were overseeing their administrative functions and administering outcomes and outputs effectively.

In reviewing the expenditure of the six intelligence agencies, the committee was satisfied with the conduct of agencies, their efforts to achieve value-for-money outcomes for the Australian taxpayer, and their appropriate management of budget and expenditure over the reporting period.

PJCIS Chair, Senator Raff Ciccone, said, “The committee’s annual review of intelligence agencies’ administration and expenditure is an important oversight component of Australia’s National Intelligence Community. After in depth classified hearings and review of classified submissions the committee found the intelligence agencies to be working in an effective and efficient manner.”

Further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the committee’s website.

 

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