THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security has commenced a review into the extremist movements and radicalism in Australia. The inquiry was referred to the Committee by Peter Dutton MP, Minister for Home Affairs.

A full terms of reference is available online at the Committee’s webpage.

The Chair, Andrew Hastie MP said, “The Committee will be examining the nature and extent of, and threat posed by, extremist movements and persons holding extremist views in Australia.”

The Deputy Chair, Anthony Byrne MP said, “The Committee will, as always, conduct this inquiry in a bi-partisan manner and with a focus on the security of all Australians.”

Submissions are requested by Friday February 12, 2021. Further information about making a submission to a parliamentary committee inquiry is available here. 

Further information about making a submission to a committee inquiry can be found at this link.

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics recently tabled its reports into the annual reports of ASIC and APRA.

Committee Chair Tim Wilson said the work of the committee in scrutinising Australia’s key financial regulators remains vital in light of the findings of the Royal Commission, the COVID-19 pandemic and more recently, the standing aside of the chair of ASIC.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented disruption and uncertainty in the financial sector. Now, more than ever, it is essential to maintain strong prudential regulation and ensure fair and transparent dealings to safeguard financial stability and consumer trust in the financial sector," Mr Wilson said.

"The economic comeback post COVID-19 brings its own challenges. It is essential that governments, regulators, and financial institutions continue to be proactive and work together as the immediacy of the crisis fades and the hard work of economic comeback continues.

"Both ASIC and APRA have responded quickly and appropriately to the pandemic, unfortunately ASIC’s recent expenses scandal has overshadowed its efforts. The Committee takes its role of the oversight of ASIC very seriously, and will closely follow the outcome of the independent review into expenses of ASIC executives paid by the Australian tax payer," Mr Wilson said.

"Coupled with the data errors in the SMSF factsheets on the MoneySmart website that remain unacknowledged, it is difficult to say that there is as much confidence in ASIC today as there was at the same time last year and ASIC should seek to address these issues as a matter of urgency because they go to the heart of their capacity and internal processes."

Further information on these inquiries are available on the committee’s website.

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THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell said she was disappointed by a Labor Party media statement that inappropriately politicised her Insurance Inquiry final report.

Ms Carnell said although the report recommendrd a number of reforms that require government action, it was in no way critical of the Federal Government.

“I’m very disappointed by the Labor Party’s media statement regarding our Insurance Inquiry because it detracts from the real issues that are impacting small businesses every day,” Ms Carnell said.

“Our Inquiry found widespread market failure in regards to the availability and affordability of essential small business insurance products. The report does not politicise this issue and I believe it is inappropriate to do so.

“The fact is the local insurance market has been hardening for years, with insurers adapting their risk weightings to increasing threats. The natural disasters, such as the catastrophic bushfires that happened earlier this year, have brought this issue to a head," Ms Carnell said.

“Our comprehensive report made a suite of recommendations designed to rebalance the risks taken on by insurers and make small business insurance produces more accessible.

“This is a critical issue that is sending far too many small businesses to the wall and what they really need right now is solutions – not a political bung fight.

“For the sake of Australian small businesses, I hope that all sides of politics can work together on this issue to ensure small businesses have access to the insurance products that are essential for their operation.”

www.asbfeo.gov.au

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I A MAJOR vote of confidence in the South Australian economy, Mas, part of national workforce solutions provider IntoWork Australia, has invested millions of dollars to create over 50 new permanent jobs within a state of the art employment and training contact centre in central Adelaide.

Minister for Innovation and Skills, David Pisoni, through a State Government initiative, Skilling South Australia, has supported the establishment of the centre. Skilled staff will deliver apprentice and trainee support services to existing and future workers across South Australia and nationally, and will ensure workers in training are supported through to permanent employment.

“Adelaide stood out as the ideal location for this centre due to Mas' strong existing presence in South Australia and also because of the commitment and support of the South Australian State Government,” IntoWork Australia Group CEO Poul Bottern, Group said. 

“As part of our role as an Australian Government funded Apprenticeship Network Provider, this new employment and training contact centre will ensure that thousands of apprentices and trainees are supported into employment and enjoy a meaningful and productive career,” Mr Bottern said. 

“We are confident the South Australian economy will bounce back strongly from the economic shock of 2020 and that there will be demand for employment and training services to get people into jobs in the coming months and years,” he said.

Among the new starters employed at the contact centre are re-deployed workers from travel specialist Flight Centre – one of the South Australian businesses that took a major hit from the COVID-19 pandemic through border closures. 

“Like many people this year, I have struggled personally and financially as a result of losing work when the travel industry was hit by travel restrictions,” said Max Ford, newly employed consultant at the IntoWork National Contact centre. “I’m very grateful to now have a job where I can assist others to overcome their struggle and obtain meaningful employment.”

Mr Bottern said the centre would play an important role in assisting South Australian businesses by supporting thousands of skilled workers. 

Minister Pisoni said, “the decision by IntoWork Australia to establish the state-of-the-art employment and training contact centre in Adelaide dovetails perfectly with the State Government’s $280 million investment in making South Australia a centre of excellence in skills development.

“With the South Australia economy roaring back to life and the Marshall Government leading the nation in supporting opportunities for apprentices and trainees, IntoWork Australia’s investment in the new facility comes at the perfect time.”

About IntoWork Australia

IntoWork is a people focussed not-for-profit organisation delivering specialist recruitment, employment and training services, as well as support for apprentices and trainees, to individuals, businesses and government. IntoWork is the parent body for a group of businesses that promote workforce participation in communities across Australia.

About Mas

Mas is part of the IntoWork group and is an Australian Apprentice Support Network Provider, providing support services for job seekers, apprentices, trainees and employers across Australia. Mas also provides advice and support on career transition, career counselling, mentoring and networking to equip Australia’s diverse workforce with the skills they need to grow and prosper.

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