THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) will hold hearings on Thursday and Friday for its inquiry into the Cyber Security Legislative Package 2024.

The legislative package consists of the Cyber Security Bill 2024, the Security of Critical Infrastructure and Other Legislation Amendment (Enhanced Response and Prevention) Bill 2024 and the Intelligence Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Cyber Security) Bill 2024.

The Cyber Security Legislative Package intends to implement seven initiatives under the 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy, which aims to address legislative gaps to bring Australia in line with international best practice and to help ensure Australia is on track to become a global leader in cyber security.

Senator Raff Ciccone, Chair of the PJCIS, said, “The Cyber Security Legislative Package seeks to protect Australia’s cyber infrastructure, which is an essential component of Australia’s national security. These hearings will allow the committee to engage corporate, industry and civil society submitters. In addition, the committee will hear from government departments who will be tasked with implementing the legislation.

“Seeking a broad range of views will allow the Committee to provide balanced advice to the Parliament to help ensure the legislation operates as effectively as possible in response to ever increasing cyber threats," Senator Ciccone said.

Public Hearing Details

Thursday, 31 October 2024
10am – 4:45pm (AEDT)

Friday, 1 November 2024
9am – 1pm (AEDT)

Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra

Further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the Committee’s website.

A program for the hearing can be found here and the hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

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THE House Select Committee on Nuclear Energy is holding its second public hearing in Canberra today. The parliamentary committee has been established to inquire into and report on the consideration of nuclear power generation in Australia.

Committee Chair, Dan Repacholi MP, the Federal Member for Hunter, said, "The committee is looking forward to continuing to hear evidence from stakeholders who may have a role in any future federal nuclear energy policy in Australia, and experts with knowledge of nuclear energy. We are continuing to set the scene and gather information as to where Australia currently stands with regards to nuclear energy regulation and policy and how nuclear energy would fit into Australia’s current energy mix.”

Mr Repacholi explained that the hearings in Canberra were a foundation the committee intended to use before travelling to communities that have been earmarked for nuclear energy plants.

The hearing can be accessed online. Programs for all hearings and further information about the inquiry, including the inquiry terms of reference are available on the Committee’s website.

The Select Committee on Nuclear Energy is seeking submissions by Friday, 15 November 2024.

Public hearing details

Date: Monday, 28 October 2024
Time: 8:30am to 6:15pm (AEDT) (approximately)
Location: Main Committee Room (MCR), Australian Parliament House, Canberra

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Trade and Investment Growth will hold three public hearings in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra to inform its inquiry into the understanding and utilisation of benefits under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).

The committee will hear from industry groups, peak bodies, academics and community organisations about how Australian businesses are engaging in international trade and how access to the benefits offered by trade and Australia’s FTAs could be improved.

The inquiry is focusing on the level of awareness and uptake of the benefits available under Australia’s FTAs, including the promotion of the benefits of trade, the difficulties faced in accessing the benefits of trade agreements and how the utilisation of trade agreements is measured. The committee is also examining the extent to which regional, diaspora and First Nations communities take advantage of trade and FTA opportunities, including how these communities can be better engaged to build Australia’s trade.

Committee Chair, Steve Georganas MP said, “International trade brings significant economic and social benefits to all Australians. The committee is looking forward to hearing from stakeholders to better understand if the benefits offered by participation in trade are being maximised and how the utilisation of Australia’s free trade agreements could be improved.

“We are also interested in how Australia’s large diaspora communities participate in trade, and whether there are greater opportunities to utilise their knowledge, expertise and networks to foster closer business links and trade ties.”

These public hearings follow earlier hearings with several Australian Government departments and agencies, including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Austrade that focussed on the government’s role in supporting Australian businesses to enjoy the economic and social benefits of trade and Australia’s FTAs.

Public hearing details

Sydney

Date: Tuesday, 29 October 2024
Time: 9.30am to 2pm (AEST)
Location: Macquarie Room, NSW Parliament House

Melbourne

Date: Tuesday, 12 November 2024
Time: 10am to 2pm (AEST)
Location: TBC

Canberra

Date: Friday, 22 November 2024
Time: 9am to 2.30pm (AEST)
Location: Committee Room 1R4, Parliament House, Canberra

Further information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference, published submissions and hearing transcripts, are available on the inquiry webpage.

The hearing will be broadcast live at www.youtube.com/@AUSParliamentLive.

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport will convene a series of public hearings next week in support of its inquiry into the health impacts of alcohol and other drugs in Australia.

The hearings will be held in Melbourne on October 28 and 29, and in Brisbane on October 30.

Committee Chair, Mike Freelander MP, said the inquiry had attracted significant public interest since commencing in August.

"The committee has received a large number of written submissions highlighting several crucial issues, including the stigma preventing early intervention, links between substance use and domestic violence, and opportunities for better service integration," Dr Freelander said.

"We are looking forward to exploring these issues in greater depth during our public hearings."

The hearings will be attended by representatives of peak bodies specialising in alcohol and other drugs (AOD) treatment, leading Australian researchers and clinicians, and government and non-government AOD service providers.

Public hearings

Date: Monday, 28 October 2024
Time: 11.30am – 3.45pm AEDT
Location: Mantra on Russell, Melbourne

Date: Tuesday, 29 October 2024
Time: 8.45am – 2.15pm AEDT
Location: Mantra on Russell, Melbourne

Date: Wednesday, 30 October 2024
Time: 10.30am – 4pm AEST
Location: Queensland Parliament House, Brisbane

A program for the public hearing is available on the inquiry website. A live audio stream of the hearings will also be available on the APH website.

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