THE Electoral Matters Committee will hold its first hearing as part of the review into the 2025 Federal Election on October 15, 2025.

Committee Chair, Jerome Laxale MP said, "The committee will be hearing from the Australian Electoral Commission to begin with. I anticipate discussion will focus on aggressive conduct at polling booths and how the AEC can respond, which has been the biggest issue in early submissions. Aggressive conduct is a direct threat to universal voter access.

"The committee will also question whether the authorisation of political messages is adequate in the current environment. Proper authorisation is a key safeguard in political communication. An elector should always know who is responsible for the messages they see," Mr Laxale said.

The committee will also hear from other organisations and experts, including the Australia Institute and the Grattan Institute.

"The committee is expected to hold further hearings in Canberra, as well some interstate hearings before the end of the year," Mr Laxale said.

Further information on the 2025 Election Inquiry can be found at the Inquiry webpage. Committee details can be found at the Committee’s webpage.

Public hearing details

Date: Wednesday, 15 October 2025
Time: 9am to 4.30pm
Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra

9am–10.45 am: Australian Electoral Commission
1.30pm–2pm: The Hon Bob McMullan
2pm–2.30pm: Dr Jill Sheppard
2.30pm–3pm: The Australia Institute
3.30pm–4pm: Grattan Institute
4pm–4.30pm: Professor Emerita Anne Twomey
4.30pm: Adjournment

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

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THE Housing Industry Association (HIA) is hosting the inaugural residential construction National Safety Summit in Newcastle today, bringing together industry leaders and experts to tackle the critical issue of safety across Australia’s home building sector.

The Summit coincides with National Safe Work Month and will provide a practical, one-day forum for builders, contractors, site managers, supervisors, and safety professionals to exchange ideas and develop strategies that make compliance easier and worksites safer.

“The Summit reflects HIA’s continued commitment to improving safety outcomes across the construction industry,” HIA chief executive for industry and policy, Simon Croft said today.

“Creating a culture where safety is part of every decision and every site is essential to the professionalism of our industry," he said.

“This Summit is also about ensuring safety remains at the core of how we work, not just during Safe Work Month, but every day.

“The best outcomes are when industry and regulators collaborate. By sharing practical tools and real-world experiences, we can make it simpler for builders and trades to meet their obligations and keep people safe on site.

“Today’s event is an opportunity to discuss new approaches to risk management, highlight regulatory updates, and showcase examples of safety leadership from across the industry.

“Everyone deserves to go home safely at the end of the day. The Summit will help our industry continue to raise the bar and ensure safety remains a shared responsibility on every project,” concluded Mr Croft.

Click link to read a preview of the opening address to the HIA Safety Summit delivered today by HIA president Ian Hazan.

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THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has commenced a review of the Criminal Code Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) Bill 2025 (‘the Bill’).

The Bill proposes amendments to the Criminal Code to allow the Australian Government to list foreign state entities that have engaged in a state terrorist act, or otherwise supported or advocated terrorist acts targeting Australia.

The Bill proposes to:

• establish a new legislative framework enablling the Governor-General to list foreign state entities as state sponsors of terrorism on the advice of the Australian Federal Police Minister, with agreement from the Foreign Affairs Minister;
• create new offences which would criminalise conduct by these entities, as well as by individuals or organisations who would seek to assist or support their activities;
• provide for appropriate defences, such as for persons required by law to engage with a listed entity or who engage for legitimate purpose; and
• make consequential amendments to other Commonwealth Acts to extend relevant law enforcement powers and other policy tools to the new provisions relating to state sponsored terrorism

The committee has invited submissions by 24 October 2025.

Committee Chair Senator Raff Ciccone, said, “State sponsored terrorism is an increasing threat to Australia. I welcome the Australian Government’s efforts to address this threat through legislation.

"The committee will review this important Bill to ensure it is effective and proportionate in strengthening Australia’s national security framework.”

Further details on the review, including submission guidelines and deadlines, are available on the committee’s website: aph.gov.au/pjcis

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THE Australian Workers' Union (AWU) has strongly endorsed today's announcement of a rescue package for the Mount Isa copper smelter and Townsville refinery, securing more than 1,000 jobs and protecting Australia's critical metals processing capacity.

AWU national secretary Paul Farrow said the announcement brings welcome relief to thousands of regional workers after months of uncertainty.

"This investment backs Australia’s potential to become a global manufacturing powerhouse," Mr Farrow said.

“Copper is critical to developing future technologies on our shores. You can't have a Future Made in Australia without the ability to refine our own metals and critical minerals.

“This package demonstrates that both federal and state governments understand that maintaining our sovereign manufacturing capability isn't just about jobs today, it's about securing Australia's place in tomorrow's economy."

The rescue package will ensure the continued operation of facilities that provide half of Australia's copper smelting capacity – a capability essential for the nation's economic sovereignty and industrial future.

"Losing the copper smelter, refinery and the sites it supports, like Phosphate Hill, would have been a crippling blow for the North Queensland region, especially after the closure of the Mt Isa mine earlier this year," said AWU Queensland secretary Stacey Schinnerl.

"Generations of workers have dedicated their lives to this industry, which has bright days ahead of it. Allowing this site to collapse would have been a grave error. We are grateful that long-sighted political leadership has prevailed.”

The AWU has commended the collaborative approach taken by the Albanese and Crisafulli governments in securing this vital support package. The union has long advocated for strategic government intervention to protect Australia's industrial base, particularly in regional communities where these facilities are economic cornerstones.

"This is exactly the kind of partnership between government, industry and workers we need to see more of," Ms Schinnerl said.

"The Mount Isa smelter and Townsville refinery aren’t just workplaces, they are the beating heart of the region, supporting local businesses, families and entire communities."

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