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Business News Releases

Committee examines National Redress Scheme as eight-year review approaches

THE Joint Standing Committee on Implementation of the National Redress Scheme will hear from representatives of the Department of Social Services at a public hearing in Canberra on Thursday, June 25, as part of its inquiry into the continuing operation of the scheme.

Committee Chair, Jodie Belyea MP, acknowledged the department’s ongoing engagement with the inquiry, and said the committee was looking forward to discussing a range of key issues as the National Redress Scheme enters its final stage of operation.

"For many survivors, the National Redress Scheme is an important avenue for acknowledgment, recognition and justice," Ms Belyea said. "As the scheme enters its final years of operation, it is vital that eligible survivors are aware of their options and are supported to engage with the redress process.

Ms Belyea said, "The committee is keen to examine how the department is managing current application volumes and communicating the scheme’s forthcoming closure, while ensuring the scheme remains focused on the needs of survivors."

Ms Belyea noted that the hearing comes at a significant time for the scheme, with the statutory eight-year review due to commence.

"As the scheme moves towards its closure, it is important to consider how outstanding challenges can be addressed and what lessons have been learned. The forthcoming eight-year review provides a valuable opportunity to examine the scheme’s effectiveness and ensure it delivers the best possible outcomes for survivors."

More information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference and submissions, can be found on the inquiry webpage.

Public hearing details

Date: Thursday, 25 June 2026
Time: 9:30am – 11am (AEST)
Location: Committee Room 1R4, Parliament House, Canberra and via videoconference

A program for the public hearing is available on the inquiry webpage.

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

 

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Exploring the Australian Government’s role in promoting trade with African nations

THE Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade through its Trade Subcommittee is continuing its public hearing program for its inquiry into strengthening Australia’s trade and investment relations with Africa.

Chair of the Trade Subcommittee, Fiona Phillips MP, said, "The subcommittee will hold follow-up hearings with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and Austrade to discuss key findings from the inquiry evidence."

Mrs Phillips said, "The subcommittee has heard evidence from a range of stakeholders throughout the inquiry about key challenges and opportunities to expanding trade relations with Africa, including the role of the Australian Government’s key agencies.

"The hearing will provide the subcommittee the opportunity to further explore the roles of DFAT and Austrade and consider avenues to inform its inquiry report and recommendations. Evidence provided by the witnesses will assist the subcommittee’s understanding of the breadth of issues under the inquiry."

Further information, including the inquiry terms of reference, is available on the inquiry website.

Public Hearing Details

Date: Wednesday, 24 June 2026 
Time: 10:10am – 11am (AEST)
Location: Committee Room 2S1, Parliament House, Canberra ACT and via videoconference

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

 

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Local government funding inquiry to hear from councils in the NT and WA’s Kimberley region

THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport will hold a roundtable hearing with councils from the Northern Territory and the Kimberley region of Western Australia this week as part of its inquiry into local government funding.

The committee wants to better understand the funding challenges faced by local government across the Northern Territory and remote Western Australia, particularly those councils that are providing services and infrastructure to regional and remote Australians.

The committee will hear from the representatives of the Alice Springs Town Council, Barkly Regional Council and the Roper Gulf Regional Council from the Northern Territory and also from the West Australian Shire of Wyndham on behalf of the Kimberley Regional Group.

These councils submitted to the inquiry that the sustainability of local governments in the Kimberley and also in regional Northern Territory was challenging. This is due to extreme remoteness, high service delivery costs, constrained revenue-raising capacity and expanding responsibilities that are not matched by funding.

The councils often operate across vast distances servicing highly disadvantaged communities, often providing essential services such as health access, childcare and community safety where other levels of government may be absent.

Committee Chair, Fiona Phillips MP, said, “The committee is looking forward to learning more about the fiscal sustainability of local government across the Northern Territory and also the Kimberley region, the different challenges these councils are facing, and the opportunities for enhancing services and infrastructure.”

A program for the public hearing and 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: Thursday, 25 June 2026
Time: 11am – 12.30pm
Location: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra

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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Treaties Committee to examine Australia-Spain Classified Defence Information Treaty

THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) will hold a public hearing for its inquiry into the Agreement between Australia and the Kingdom of Spain for the Mutual Protection of Classified Information of Defence Interest at 11.20am on 22 June 2026.

The committee will examine whether the agreement ensures classified information shared between Australia and Spain is used appropriately, and why the 2012 treaty of the same name has become outdated.

The committee will also examine if this agreement establishes reciprocal obligations for protecting classified defence information, including rules governing the access, transfer, use and disclosure of this information and the mechanisms for security incident reporting, inspections and visits, while not obliging either party to share classified information.

Committee Chair, Lisa Chesters MP, said, "Australia’s growing defence relationship with Spain is increasingly important. Our collaboration across various projects contributes to Australia’s defence capabilities, and it is essential that the exchange of classified information underpinning that cooperation is properly safeguarded.

"The committee wants to understand not just how the agreement works on paper, but how risks will be managed in real‑world settings—particularly where contractors, subcontractors and international partners are involved."

The committee will hear evidence from the Department of Defence and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at the public hearing.

Public hearing details

Date: Monday, 22 June 2026
Time: 11:20am - 12.30pm AEST (approximately)
Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House Canberra

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

 

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Trade and Investment Committee explores sustainable economic growth in South Australia

THE Joint Standing Committee on Trade and Investment Growth (JSCTIG) will hold public hearings on Tuesday, June 16, and Wednesday, June 17 in Mount Gambier and Adelaide, South Australia, as part of its inquiry into creating sustainable economic growth in rural and regional Australia.

The committee will hear from stakeholders across the agriculture, tourism, and food and drink sectors.

Committee Chair, Senator Marielle Smith, said, ‘The committee will be bringing this inquiry to small and medium businesses in our regions to ensure that those impacted are part of this important conversation. The committee looks forward to discussing the challenges and opportunities facing these enterprises, and how they and their communities can be better supported to build long-term economic growth.

"We are also interested in how we can attract more tourism to rural and regional Australia, make export markets more accessible, and identify potential strategies to promote Australia’s clean and green brand globally.," Senator Smith said.

Programs for the public hearings are available on the inquiry website. An audio broadcast of the hearings will be available on the APH website.

Further information about the committee’s inquiry, including the terms of reference and how to make a submission, is available on the Committee’s website. Submissions are open until June 30, 2026.

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