Skip to main content

Business News Releases

Release of Framework for National Dementia Action Plan 'welcome but further investment is urgently needed'

DEMENTIA AUSTRALIA has welcomed the release of the Collective Priority Framework for the National Dementia Action Plan, but said further investment was "urgently needed" to address the growing impact of dementia in Australia.

The Federal Government and all state and territory Health Ministers have agreed the urgent priorities for action are:

  1. Empowering individuals and communities to minimise risk where they can, and delay onset and progression.
  2. Improving dementia diagnosis and post-diagnostic care and support.
  3. Improve dementia data, maximise the impact of dementia research and promote innovation.

Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan said the release of the framework was a positive development and an important next step in addressing the growing impact of dementia now and into the future.

“We support the action areas that have been identified,” Prof. Buchanan said.

“We are also pleased that all governments will report annually on their dementia related activity and that people living with dementia will be involved in implementation.

“However, the National Dementia Action Plan was released in 2024 after extensive consultation," Prof. Buchanan said.

“Since then, dementia has become the leading cause of death in Australia and there are now an estimated 446,500 people living with dementia – a figure projected to more than double to more than one million people by 2065 without significant intervention.

“People living with dementia, their families and carers have been patient and were expecting to see firmer commitments and new investment to address the growing human and economic cost of dementia," she said.

“Without that, there is a danger services will not keep pace with demand and we will go backwards.

“We urgently need: a brain health campaign to help people minimise their risk of developing dementia; support to help people navigate the fragmented dementia service system; and improved access to diagnostic and post diagnostic services, such as respite services, particularly in rural and regional areas.

“Dementia Australia acknowledges current government investments and is committed to delivering essential services and supports for people through the National Dementia Support Program, including the National Dementia Helpline available 24 hours a day seven days a week.

“However, to really shift the dial for people living with dementia and address its growing impact on health, community services and the economy, we need to act now," Prof. Buchanan said.

“We understand all government budgets are stretched, but reducing the new cases of dementia by just 5% every year has been estimated to result in savings of $120.4 billion by 2056.

“We cannot afford to wait and are calling for the government to make further investments to make dementia a priority in the upcoming budget.”

Read Dementia Australia’s 2026-27 Commonwealth pre-budget submission at dementia.org.au/pre-budget

For dementia information and support contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 or visit dementia.org.au. 

 

ends

  • Created on .

New Inquiry — boosting arts philanthropy

THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications, the Arts and Sport is inquiring into arts and cultural philanthropy.

Committee chair, Ms Susan Templeman MP, said philanthropy played a vital role in supporting the work of artists and cultural organisations.

"Arts and culture enrich our everyday lives. Philanthropic giving provides valuable financial support for the sector and provides transformational opportunities for creative Australians," Ms Templeman said.

"This inquiry will look at the current levels of philanthropic and private support to the cultural sector, and the effectiveness of government policies and programs in encouraging that support.

"We’re particularly interested in emerging structures and mechanisms such as digital fundraising platforms, impact investment and public-private co-investment.

"There are both incentives and disincentives for philanthropic giving in the current tax, regulatory and administrative systems, and we are keen to hear from the sector about how we might improve that."

The committee said it would welcome a range of perspectives during the inquiry, including from regional areas and small-to-medium arts organisations, museums and galleries.

"We expect to hear a wide range of experiences and ideas during this inquiry and encourage all parts of the sector to share their insights into potential government initiatives to increase philanthropic participation."

The committee called for submissions by March 2, 2026. Further information, including the terms of reference and how to contribute, is available on the inquiry website.

 

ends

  • Created on .

Yarning Competition to amplify young Australian stories

THE Department of the House of Representatives is pleased to announce that entries are now open for the 2026 Yarning Competition.

Yarning is an Australia-wide storytelling competition that invites Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander high school students from across Australia to share their perspectives and stories with the Australian Parliament.

It provides a platform, through art, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people to connect with, and learn about, the work of the Australian Parliament. 

Students may choose a creative medium such as visual art, text, photography, video or audio to address one of the four themes – Country and Connection; Identity and Culture; Family and Community; Reconciliation.

Three winners from each of the year groups (Years 7/8; Years 9/10; Years 11/12) will receive an expenses-paid trip to Parliament House in Canberra, including flights and accommodation, and a prize pack valued at $250. Their artwork will also be exhibited at Parliament House.

All competition entries will be displayed on the Yarning website.

For further information and entry submission, visit the website: Yarning Competition – Sharing Stories, Celebrating Culture. Entries close May 11, 2026.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Milton Dick MP said, "The Yarning Competition is a wonderful new program where we recognise the emerging talent of our First Nations artists and young people from across Australia.

“Yarning was designed to give young First Nations people a platform to share not just their artwork, but their ideas and perspectives,” he said.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

ends

  • Created on .

Public Works Committee to scrutinise fit outs and refurbishments for Defence, DFAT and DITRDCSA

THE Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works (the Committee) will be holding a series of public hearings on Friday, February 6,for three of its current inquiries.

They are: Department of Defence—9 Molonglo Drive project, Brindabella Park, Australian Capital Territory; Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade—Refurbishment of Australian High Commission Staff Residential Compound, Konedobu, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea; and Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts—Proposed Fit-out of New Leased Premises at One City Hill, Canberra City

The Department of Defence’s works seek to fit out a new office at 9 Molonglo Drive, replacing its current office accommodation at Brindabella Park. The total estimated cost is $103.9 million.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s works seek to refurbish 39 apartments at its Konedobu Residential Compound in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. The total estimated cost is $37.3 million.

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication, Sports and the Arts’ works seek to fit-out its new office at One City Hill as the second stage of its Canberra City precinct project. The total estimated cost is $46.4 million.

Committee Chair, Tony Zappia MP, said, "Routine office fit outs provide the committee an opportunity to monitor current construction market trends through the scrutiny of Ggovernment property priorities."

The committee will hear from relevant officers from the Department of Defence, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sports and the Arts at the hearings. Interested members of the public are encouraged to listen in to the public hearing via the APH website or attend the hearing in person at the location listed below.

Public hearing details

Date: Friday, February 6, 2026
Time: 9:30am–10:15am – Department of Defence (AEDT)

Time: 11:25am–12:10pm – Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (AEDT)

Time: 2pm–2:45pm – Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sports and the Arts (AEDT)

Location: Committee room 1R5, Australian Parliament House

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

 

 

ends

  • Created on .

Sunset on solar waste: Have your say on solar panel reuse and recycling

 

THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water has commenced an inquiry into solar panel reuse and recycling, and is seeking written submissions to guide the inquiry’s findings.

Ensuring that renewable technologies, such as solar panels, are responsibly managed at the end of their life is essential to protecting Australia's environment. This inquiry will take a close look at how Australia currently handles ageing and decommissioned solar panels, examining the scale of today’s waste challenge and what’s expected in the years ahead. It will assess existing disposal practices, comparing the economic and environmental impacts of reuse, versus recycling, and landfill.

The inquiry will explore the environmental, economic, and energy‑security opportunities that could come from recovering valuable materials from end‑of‑life panels. It will also consider how developed Australia’s reuse and recycling capabilities are, and what more may be needed to support a sustainable and circular solar industry.

Committee Chair, Anne Urquhart said, "As the amount of solar generation installed across the nation continues to grow, it is critical to examine the end-of-life plan for solar infrastructure. This inquiry will examine the current and future impacts of solar waste, and the state of Australia’s solar panel reuse and recycling capabilities.

"To progress Australia’s transition to a circular economy, the barriers to reusing and recycling solar panels at scale need to be identified through close collaboration with industry, academia, and subject matter experts."

The committee has invited written submissions addressing the terms of reference by March 27, 2026. Further information, including the terms of reference and details on how to make a submission, can be found on the committee’s website.

 

ends

  • Created on .

More Articles …