THE Australian Parliament’s Agriculture Committee has presented its advisory report for its inquiry into the Export Control Amendment (Ending Live Sheep Exports by Sea) Bill 2024, which will end the live sheep export trade by sea by May 1, 2028.

The inquiry examined the provisions of the bill, including the authority for Commonwealth spending to assist those impacted to prepare and adapt.

Committee Chair, Meryl Swanson MP, said, "The bill fulfils the Albanese Government’s election promise to end the live export of sheep by sea while providing time and money for the orderly transition of industry to new avenues of production and trade."

While acknowledging the strong opposition of sections of industry and local WA communities, Ms Swanson said, "This matter has been extensively canvassed by governments and communities. The time has come to transition away from this trade. Like all transitions, it will not be without pain, but the outcome will provide industry with long-term certainty in line with community expectations."

In addition to recommending that the bill be passed, the Committee has made two recommendations including that the Australian Government:

• considers making additional funding available to support the industry transition, potentially through the 2026 stocktake of industry progress; and
• continues to seek opportunities to work with the Western Australian Government to refine and implement the transition support package.

The Committee held two public hearings in Canberra and Muresk, Western Australia, which took important evidence from a range of stakeholders representing industry, government, local communities and animal welfare groups. It received more than 13,000 contributions from people supporting and opposing the bill and offering feedback on its contents.

The Committee thanked those who contributed to the inquiry through written submissions, correspondence and giving evidence at public hearings.

The full report can be found on the Committee’s inquiry webpage.

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THEJoint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) will hold a public hearing for its inquiry into the Australia–Tuvalu Falepili Union.

Committee Chair Josh Wilson MP said, “This treaty is an expression of fellowship and cooperation between Tuvalu and Australia and a broader example of Australia’s commitment to building strong relationships with our Pacific neighbours.

“The very heart of this agreement, the Tuvaluan concept of Falepili, is a shared commitment to look out for each other as good neighbours. The committee will examine how the agreement may lead to a stronger and more integrated partnership as Tuvalu and Australia navigate our shared challenges.

"The goals of this union include building climate resilience, safeguarding our collective peace and regional security, and supporting human mobility.”

The committee will hear from officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as well as key academics.

Public hearing details

Date: Wednesday, 19 June 2024
Time: 12pm-2pm approximately
Location: Committee Room 1R4

The hearing can be accessed online and the program for this hearing is available on the Committee website, along with further information about the inquiry. 

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THE CFMEU Manufacturing Division has welcomed the announcement from Employment and Workplace Relations Minister, Tony Burke, that the Federal Government would provide the opportunity for members to vote on their future.

Manufacturing Division members will now have the chance to determine if they want their union to be outside of the CFMEU.

Mr Burke was "100 percent right in his assessment that the status quo in the CFMEU is dysfunctional and cannot continue" a statement from the Manufacturing Division read.

CFMEU Manufacturing national secretary, Michael O’Connor said, "We welcome this, the government is doing the right thing, they have listened to us and are respecting the good judgment of our members.

“Our members, who work in floorcovering, cabinetry and joinery, glass and glazing, installation and shopfitting, timber and wood products, pulp and paper, furniture, textile, clothing and footwear and building products and materials manufacturing, deserve the right to decide how they want to be represented by their union.

“This government has a good track record of backing workers’ rights and this is no exception. We will now move to ensure a vote of our members on this question can occur as a matter of priority.

“We will be encouraging every member to vote in the secret ballot and ensure they are fully informed of the benefits to them from the Manufacturing Division becoming independent of the CFMEU.”   

The Manufacturing Division made an application to the Fair Work Commission more than two years ago to put the demerger question to rank and file Manufacturing Division members and, following CFMEU Construction Division efforts to block the vote from occurring, has supported a Private Members Bill Senator Jacqui Lambie introduced to Parliament earlier this year which would facilitate a vote.

Last year the Mining and Energy Union was allowed a vote on whether to leave the CFMEU and 98 percent of members voted in their thousands to leave.

“Our members will now get the same opportunity as mining and energy workers got last year, to determine the future of their union,” Mr O'Connor said.

“We thank Senator Lambie and Minister Burke, who are backing us in, to give our members an opportunity for a brighter future outside of the CFMEU and a more respected and active role in the labour movement, free from the shackles of the dysfunctional CFMEU,” Mr O’Connor said.

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) will hold a public hearing for its inquiry into the Protocol on the Accession of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and associated side-letters, and the inquiry into Amendments to Appendices I, II and III of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

Committee Chair Mr Josh Wilson MP said of CPTPP, “Significantly, the United Kingdom would be the first non-founding country to join CPTPP since it was signed by 11 countries in 2018, and its accession would expand the trade partnership beyond the Pacific region.

"The United Kingdom’s accession to the CPTPP is expected to build upon the recent Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (A-UKFTA) in terms of goods and services and provide additional strategic benefits for Australia. The Committee will examine these potential benefits.”

On the CITES treaty, Mr Wilson said, “The amendments add new species to the list of flora and fauna for which international trade is prohibited or monitored. The committee will seek to understand how the new listings support Australia’s strong commitment to effective regulation of the international trade in wildlife and conservation of threatened species.”

Public hearing details

Date:Tuesday, 18 June 2024
Time: 12pm to 1.20pm approximately
Location: Committee Room 2R2

The hearing can be accessed online and the program for this hearing is available on the Committee website, along with further information about the inquiry. 

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