The committee wants to better understand from the Department of Education how local government can be supported to help deliver early childhood education across their communities, especially when private providers are not present.

In 2023-24, the Australian Government provided nearly $383 million in local government funding for a range of early childhood education and care infrastructure. Councils that are service providers of childcare may apply to the Department for initiatives involving early childhood education infrastructure, integrated child and family hubs, and school-community co-location projects.

The committee will also hear from the National Indigenous Australians Agency to discuss its role distributing Commonwealth local government funding of $123 million in 2023-24.

Committee Chair, Fiona Phillips, said, “The committee is keen to hear from the Department of Education about whether current funding arrangements are meeting the needs of local governments and their communities. It also wants to explore how funding can better support councils delivering early childhood education services, particularly in regional and rural communities.

“Regarding the National Indigenous Australians Agency, the committee looks forward to hearing how local governments are partners or delivery organisations, particularly for projects that support First Nations communities, Closing the Gap priorities, and community infrastructure," she said.

Further information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and how to contribute, is available on the committee’s website.

Public hearing

Date: Thursday, 20 August 2026
Time: 11am – 12.30pm
Location: Committee Room 1R3, 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.

ends

THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) held public hearings on Monday (August 17) as part of its inquiries into four proposed agreements:

• Agreement between the Government of Australia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Support and Procurement Organisation (NSPO) on Acquisition and Support Cooperation;
• Agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Government of Australia relating to Air Services;
• Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of Kiribati relating to Air Services;
• Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Republic of Nauru relating to Air Services.

The NSPO Agreement is designed to allow Australia access to programs and services offered by the NSPO and NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). The committee will investigate whether this access to capability acquisition, logistics and system support represents value for money. The committee will also inquire into whether the NSPO Agreement creates opportunities for Australian defence industry.

Committee Chair, Lisa Chesters MP, said, “Ensuring the Australian Defence Force has the capability it needs in the modern military environment is vital. Strengthening Australia’s domestic defence industry is similarly crucial. The committee will investigate whether the NSPO Agreement benefits Australia’s defence industry and builds Australian defence capability in a cost-effective way.”

The Air Services Agreements aim to provide a legal framework for air services between Australia and Cambodia, Kiribati, and Naoero (formerly known as Nauru) respectively. At the public hearing the committee will inquire into the agreements’ provisions on areas such as safety, security, customs and competition law. The committee will investigate how the proposed agreements could strengthen Australia’s relationships with Cambodia, Kiribati and Nauru and expand opportunities for tourism and export industries.

Ms Chesters said, “It is vital for Australia to remain connected and integrated with our region. It is equally important to ensure that we do not compromise our aviation standards. The committee will examine these Air Services Agreements and ensure they are fit for purpose.”

The committee will hear evidence from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts, the Department of Defence, the Australian Defence Force and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Public hearing details

Date: Monday, 17 August 2026
Time: 10:30am to 1:00pm AEST (approximately). The NATO public hearing was to be held from 10.30am and the three Air Services treaties would be discussed in a combined hearing from 11.15am.

Location: Committee Room 2S1, Parliament House Canberra

The hearing was broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

ends

TODAY, Tony Zappia MP, Chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works presented the Public Works Committee’s fifth report of 2026 to the House of Representatives.

Report 5/2026 – Referrals made in March 2026 considers two proposed major works:

• Australian Federal Police — Proposed Fitout of Leased Premises, 949 Ann Street, Brisbane;
• Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation—Upgrade and Fitout of Building 302 Research Way, Clayton, Victoria.

The Australian Federal Police is seeking approval from the Parliament to fit-out their leased premises at 949 Ann St, which will be the site of their Northern Command, consolidating its two Brisbane offices and the Australian Centre for Countering Child Exploitation at an estimated cost of $89.3 million.

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is seeking approval to upgrade and fit-out Building 302, Research Way at its existing Clayton site, replacing the CSIRO Aspendale site as the primary location of the climate, ocean and atmospheric research teams at an estimated cost of $18.27 million.

The committee received submissions, and undertook site inspections, received private briefings, and conducted public and private hearings in Melbourne. The committee had the opportunity to visit CSIRO Aspendale and AFP Southern Command, which recently underwent a fit-out similar to what will be carried out at AFP Northern Command.

The committee has recommended that the House of Representatives approve the proposed works. Mr Zappia said, "Both projects provide these agencies with the necessary fit-for-purpose technical facilities and accommodation required for their respective work in advancing Australia’s security and prosperity."

Note: 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

THIS WEEK, 150 secondary school students from across Australia – one from each federal electorate – will come to Canberra for the 2026 National Youth Parliament – a fully funded, five-day program designed to equip young Australians with the knowledge, confidence and skills to engage with Australia’s parliamentary democracy.