THE Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works has recently commenced two new inquiries into proposed works by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) under the Public Works Committee Act 1969.

The AFP is proposing to fit out new premises for its Northern Command Headquarters located in Brisbane, Queensland.

The proposed new premises will replace the AFP’s existing two major Brisbane offices in Newstead and Fortitude Valley with 10,594 square metres of floorspace at 949 Ann Street in the Brisbane CBD. As well as office space, the proposed works will deliver over 3,000sqm of technical and specialist areas. The estimated cost of the proposed works in $89.3 million (excluding GST).

The CSIRO is proposing to upgrade and fit out Building 302 at its complex in Clayton, Victorian to deliver purpose-built laboratory facilities for staff relocating from the CSIRO’s site located in Aspendale, Victoria. The proposed works will allow the CSIRO to consolidate staff into modern, fit-for-purpose, compliant, and future-ready accommodation at the Clayton site and maintain capacity for vital atmospheric and climate science. The estimated cost of the proposed works is $18.27 million (excluding GST).

The committee has invited interested individuals and organisations to make submissions by Friday, May 1, 2026 for the AFP referral and Monday, May 11, 2026 for the CSIRO referral. More information is available on the inquiry websites: AFP, Brisbane and CSIRO, Clayton.

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

THE Social Policy and Legal Affairs Committee will hold its first hearing of its inquiry into the link between domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) and suicide on Friday, March 27.

Committee Chair, Louise Miller-Frost MP, said the hearing provides "an important opportunity to understand how Commonwealth agencies are currently capturing data, coordinating services, and responding to DFSV victimisation that is linked to suicide risk".

The committee will hear from six Australian Government agencies:

• Department of Social Services
• Attorney-General’s Department
• Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
• National Indigenous Australians Agency
• Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
• Australian Bureau of Statistics

"These government bodies play a central role in shaping national policy, and their insights will provide a strong launching pad for the committee’s inquiry,’ Ms Miller-Frost said.

"The committee is expecting to hold interstate hearings in April and further hearings in Canberra over the coming months," Ms Miller-Frost said.

More information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference and submissions, can be found on the inquiry webpage.

Public hearing details

Date: Friday, 27 March 2026
Time: 10am to 12.15pm
Location: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra

Programs for each public hearing are available on the inquiry website.

Public hearings are broadcast live on the Australian Parliament House Streaming Portal.

ends

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.

ends

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.

ends