THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport will hold hearings with more than 20 councils in Wodonga, Wagga Wagga and Taree this week as part of its inquiry into local government funding.

The committee said it wanted to better understand the funding challenges faced by local government across regional and rural Australia and its workers who provide infrastructure and deliver services to vast areas of Victoria and NSW.

Committee Chair, Fiona Phillips MP, said, “The committee is looking forward to learning more about the fiscal sustainability of local government in both northern Victoria and regional NSW and potential solutions to current challenges for fast growing regional cities and geographically larger shires with fewer rate payers.”

Hearings will begin in Wodonga on Wednesday May 6, where the committee will hear from shire councils and regional city councils such as Wodonga and Wangaratta. The committee will explore a range of issues including grant distribution processes, bushfire and flood recovery, workforce issues, and labour market conditions in regional Victoria and across the border in the Riverina.

The committee will then travel to Wagga Wagga for hearings on Thursday May 7 to hear from city councils and shire councils in southern NSW and representatives of Regional Capitals Australia, NSW Country Mayors and NSW Farmers.

The committee travels north to Taree on Friday May 8 to hear from a local government representative body from the Hunter and a range of shire and city councils along the mid-north coast and inland up to the Tweed River. Discussions will cover financial sustainability, insurance and risk, workforce challenges, and broader pressures facing local government across New South Wales, especially for those councils contending with recovery from natural disasters.

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

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

Public hearing details

Date: Wednesday, 6 May 2026
Time: 9am – 3.30pm
Location: The Huon Room, Huon Hill Hotel, 48 Reid Street, Wodonga, Victoria

Date: Thursday, 7 May 2026
Time: 9am – 2.50pm
Location: Premier room, Mercure Wagga Wagga, 1 Morgan Street, Wagga Wagga, NSW

Date: Friday, 8 May 2026
Time: 9.15am – 4pm
Location: Melaleuca room, Club Taree, 121 Wingham Road, Taree, NSW

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

Details for upcoming public hearings and more information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference, submissions and transcripts of previous hearings, is available on the inquiry webpage.

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THE Housing Industry Association (HIA) has called on the Federal Government to make the Instant Asset Write-Off permanent in this year’s Federal Budget, saying the measure is important in supporting business investment in tools, technology and people.

HIA said, in its 2026/27 Pre-Budget Submission, that permanent write‑off would provide long‑term certainty for businesses across the residential building sector, most of which are small and medium‑sized enterprises, enabling them to invest with confidence.

“The Federal Budget is the right opportunity to lock in the Instant Asset Write‑Off on a permanent basis,” HIA chief executive for industry and policy, Simon Croft said.

“Certainty matters. Businesses need confidence that tax settings won’t change year‑to‑year if they are going to invest in equipment, new technology and their workforce.

“Repeated temporary extensions of the measure have limited its effectiveness and created unnecessary uncertainty for businesses making long‑term investment decisions.

“Helping businesses to invest will additionally help to achieve productivity goals as outlined in the recent Productivity Commission report, Housing construction productivity, Can we fix it?.

“For builders and trades, investment isn’t just about machinery and tools—it’s also about training and safety systems. Making the Instant Asset Write-Off permanent would directly support business growth and workforce capability," Mr Croft said.

The association said the measure would help businesses manage cost pressures while continuing to take on apprentices and upskill workers at a time of ongoing labour shortages.

“If the government is serious about improving productivity and increasing housing supply, it must support the businesses delivering that work," Mr Croft said.

“A permanent Instant Asset Write‑Off as part of this year’s Federal Budget would be a practical, business‑focused reform that delivers immediate benefits, supporting investment and strengthening the industry’s capacity to deliver new homes."

www.hia.com.au

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters will be holding hearings in Adelaide on May 4 and 5 as part of its inquiry into the 2025 Federal Election.

Committee Chair, Jerome Laxale MP said, "South Australia has consistently been at the forefront of electoral innovation, and its experience continues to offer valuable insights into how our democratic processes can evolve and improve.

"These hearings will provide an important opportunity for South Australian voters and organisations to give voice to their views on our electoral process," Mr Laxale said.

"South Australia has set a notable example through its truth in political advertising laws, showing how strong standards can support integrity and confidence in our electoral system," Mr Laxale said. "We are grateful to the Electoral Commission of South Australia for appearing before the committee, given its unique expertise in implementing and enforcing truth in political advertising laws.’

Public hearing details

Date: Monday 4 May 2026
Location: Hotel Grand Chancellor, 65 Hindley St, Adelaide SA 5000

10am–11am : Democracy 2036
11am–11:45am : Professor Rodrigo Praino, Flinders University
11:45am–12:30pm : Associate Lecturer Lachlan Poel, Flinders University
1pm–1:45pm : Umeewarra Aboriginal Media Association
1:45pm–2:30pm : Electoral Reform Society of South Australia
2:30pm–3:30pm : Community Sessions
3:30pm : Close

Date: Tuesday 5 May 2026
Location: Hotel Grand Chancellor, 65 Hindley St, Adelaide SA 5000

9am : Electoral Commission South Australia
11am : Close

Further information on the 2025 election inquiry can be found at the inquiry webpage. Committee details can be found at the Committee’s webpage.

Programs for these upcoming hearings will be advertised on the Committee’s public hearings webpage as they are finalised. The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Migration will be holding public hearings in Adelaide, Canberra and Sydney during May 2026 for its inquiry into the value of skilled migration to Australia.  

To date, public hearings have been focused on Federal Government agencies in Canberra. Looking ahead, the committee intends to hear a wider range of perspectives from stakeholders involved in the migration system, including academics, migration agents and lawyers, migrant support services, industry associations and state government.

In Adelaide, the committee’s focus will be on initiatives and supports to encourage skilled migration to South Australia. In Canberra and Sydney, the committee will hear from migration experts and peak body groups representing the agriculture, construction, finance and hospitality and business sectors.

Committee Chair, Steve Georganas MP, said, "The committee looks forward to taking evidence from a range of sectors and industries with experience in supporting and employing skilled migrants.”

The committee expects to conduct additional hearings throughout Australia in the coming months. More details about the inquiry, including hearing programs, are available on the committee’s website.  

Public hearing details 

Adelaide  

Date: Monday, 4 May 2026  
Time: 9.30am to 4pm ACST
Location: Elevate & Collaborate Room, Crowne Plaza, 27 Frome St, Adelaide

Canberra  

Date: Friday, 15 May 2026 
Time: 8.30am to 2.20pm AEST
Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra

Sydney  

Date: Tuesday, 19 May 2026 
Time: 9.30am to 4.20pm AEST
Location: The Macquarie Room, NSW Parliament House, Sydney 

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

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