The House Standing Committee on Economics has announced new public hearings as part of its inquiry into insurers’ responses to 2022 major floods claims.

In March, the committee will wrap up hearing from insurers and reinsurers. It will also hear from key departments and agencies, including Treasury, the National Emergency Management Agency and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

The committee is also announcing today its high-level schedule for planned hearings in April and May at some of the regions worst affected by the 2022 major floods, including Brisbane, Lismore, Sydney, the Hawkesbury, Eugowra, Molong, Melbourne, Rochester and Heathcote.

Committee Chair Daniel Mulino MP said, "We are entering the critical second phase of this inquiry, where we want to hear firsthand about the floods’ impact on communities, and the experiences of local residents and businesses going through the claims process with their insurers.

"One of our priorities for these hearings will be organising roundtables and community statements, where we want to hear directly from people on the ground about their experiences with the insurance industry after the floods.

"A number of these affected towns have been hit again by floods since 2022, and the committee will be looking to see if insurers’ handling of claims has improved."

Further details about the regional hearings and attendance options will be released closer to the date.

Dr Mulino said there is also time for people and organisations to make a public or confidential submission, through this online link. Impacted individuals are encouraged to submit before 31 July 2024.

More than 400 people have already provided feedback about their experience with their insurer through an online survey, which will also remain open until 31 July 2024. The committee encourages affected individuals to complete the survey.

March 2024

Public Hearing – Swiss Re, Treasury, the National Emergency Management Agency, Lloyds

Date: 15 March 2024
Time: 11am to 6.30pm
Location: Videoconference

Public Hearing – John Trowbridge, ACCC, Auto & General

Date: 22 March 2024
Time: 9.30am to 2.45pm
Location: Videoconference

Programs for the hearings will be made available on the inquiry website. A live video stream will also be available on the APH website.

April–May 2024

Public Hearings and Site Visits – Local Councils, Community Groups, Residents & Businesses

Dates: (TBC) April 2024
Locations: Brisbane, Lismore

Public Hearings and Site Visits – Local Councils, Community Groups, Residents & Businesses

Dates: (TBC) April 2024
Locations: Metro Melbourne, Rochester, Heathcote

Public Hearings and Site Visits – Local Councils, Community Groups, Residents & Businesses

Dates: (TBC) May 2024
Locations: Molong, Eugowra, the Hawkesbury, Parramatta

Further details to be confirmed. These indicated dates and locations may be subject to change.

ends

THE Joint Standing Committee on Trade and Investment Growth is holding a virtual public hearing tomorrow on the Australian Government’s approach to negotiating trade and investment agreements.

The committee is considering how the Australian Government develops a negotiating mandate and framework that reflects whole of government priorities, as well as priorities for State and Territory Governments, businesses and workers, including processes for consultation.

The committee will also consider how to ensure agreements advance Australia’s national and cultural interests, and that First Nations Australians can participate and benefit in trade.

Further information about the inquiry, including published submissions, public hearing transcripts and an interim report are available on the inquiry webpage.

​Public hearing details

Thursday 14 March 2024
2pm to around 5:20pm (Canberra time)

Live broadcast: https://www.aph.gov.au/News_and_Events/Watch_Read_Listen

ends

THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) today tabled its Advisory Report on the Defence Amendment (Safeguarding Australia’s Military Secrets) Bill 2023.

The committee’s unanimous report recommended that the Bill pass and made four recommendations for the Government’s consideration including:

• assessing the existing legislation and procedures and whether they sufficiently cover working or training for paramilitary organisations and militias by former defence personnel;
• providing the Minister for Defence with the ability to determine by legislative instrument classes or categories of non-former Defence members that are not required to apply for an authorisation – for example, in cases where a company has been approved to provide goods under the Defence Export Control (DEC) arrangements;
• assessing how existing legislation and procedures covering former National Intelligence Community officers and their work for foreign governments should be strengthened, and address the need for further legislation.

The Bill would amend the Defence Act 1903 to regulate the work that certain former defence staff members can perform for or on behalf of a military organisation or government body of a relevant foreign country, without a foreign work authorisation.

Chair of the PJCIS, Peter Khalil MP said, “Once passed, this Bill will deal with the potential of former defence staff members revealing sensitive defence information and placing Australia’s national security at risk. In addition it provides our allies with more confidence that securing sensitive military information is at the forefront of the Australian Government’s national security thinking."

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

ends

THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has commenced an inquiry into the Auditor-General report on Defence Major Projects 2022-23 (Auditor-General Report No. 14 of 2023-24).

Chair of the Committee, Julian Hill MP, said, "This annual inquiry enables a critical review of major Defence acquisitions, which is the main objective of the Major Projects Report.

"The committee’s principal role is to ensure continued transparency and assurance to Parliament and the public on the management of Defence projects."

The committee has invited submissions to the inquiry addressing the terms of reference by Friday, April 19. Details on the inquiry – including the terms of reference, submissions received, and upcoming public hearings – will be available on the Committee website.

ends