RECOMMENDATIONS for strengthened and standardised civics education for Australian students have been made by the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters in its report, From Classroom to Community: Civics education and political participation in Australia.

Committee Chair, Senator Carol Brown said, "Australia’s system of compulsory voting means that all Australians need to be informed to participate in our democracy and elections. This is particularly important at a time where democracies around the world, including Australia, are facing rising disengagement, distrust, and misinformation and disinformation in a complex online information environment.

"The committee heard clear evidence that the quality of formal civics education varies considerably between the states and territories, and even individual schools – which means that many young people are not getting the information they need to be informed and responsible citizens. It is clear that Australia needs a strengthened and standardised approach to civics and citizenship education."

The report makes 23 recommendations, informed by the people most affected by the topics considered. Key recommendations include:

• nationally aligned and mandated civics and citizenship content in the Australian Curriculum and better support for teachers through high-quality professional development;
• resourcing to allow more students to visit Canberra or access digital learning experiences;
• strengthening access to civics education for adults, including working with trusted grassroots community organisations and community leaders to provide culturally appropriate voter education opportunities and materials;
• creating meaningful opportunities for diverse young people to have their say on formal policies and processes;
• prioritising media and digital literacy in the Australian Curriculum and working with community organisations to deliver media and digital literacy training for vulnerable populations;
• resourcing for factual, translated resources to counteract disinformation;
• advancing research on media consumption patterns and recommender systems on social media.

Further information about the inquiry, including submissions and public hearing transcripts, is available on the inquiry webpage.

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THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has presented its annual review of the administration and expenditure of six Australian intelligence agencies for the 2022-23 financial year.

The review found that amidst a changing strategic environment, Australia’s intelligence agencies continue to work effectively and responsibly to protect Australia’s national security.

"The committee is satisfied that the agencies are administering outcomes and outputs effectively, and managing expenditure appropriately to achieve value-for-money outcomes for the Australian taxpayer," Committee Chair, Senator Raff Ciccone said.

The committee reported on a number of focus areas in its 2022-23 review including artificial intelligence and machine learning, staff recruitment and support, and the use of external contractors.

Senator Ciccone said, "The agencies provided detailed and useful information in relation to artificial intelligence and machine learning, reassuring the committee that they are carefully thinking about and planning for the appropriate use of these complex technological tools."

"The committee is pleased with the level of use of contractors by the intelligence agencies and encourages agencies to continue their endeavours and their transparency in this regard. The committee supported efforts by some agencies to review and rationalise their use of external consultants."

The committee’s review covers the administration and expenditure in the 2022-23 financial year of six of the 10 agencies that form Australia’s National Intelligence Community: the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS), the Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation (AGO), the Defence Intelligence Organisation (DIO), the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) and the Office of National Intelligence (ONI).

The committee’s report can be found on its webpage here: Review of Administration and Expenditure No. 22 (2022–23) – Australian Intelligence Agencies – Parliament of Australia.

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will hold a public hearing today for its inquiries into the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between Australia and the United Arab Emirates and the Agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Australia on the Promotion and Protection of Investments.

The proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) would be Australia’s first trade agreement with the Middle East and would eliminate tariffs on over 99 per cent of Australian goods exports to the UAE.

Committee Chair, Lisa Chesters MP, said, "The committee will examine the impact of the CEPA on Australian industry, trade and economy.

"The committee will also explore the inclusion of a chapter that highlights First Nations trade and investment – the first of this kind in any of Australia’s free trade agreements. This chapter, along with chapters including commitments on labour standards, women’s economic empowerment and environmental protection, ensure that this agreement results in inclusive and sustainable trade.

"The committee will hear from a range of stakeholders, including witnesses from the agriculture industry, business advocates, unions and civil society, as well as a government panel."

The full program and further information on the inquiries can be found on the committee’s website.

Public hearing details

Date: Thursday 30 January 2025
Time: 12.30pm to 3.30pm
Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra

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THE Speaker of the House of Representatives, Milton Dick MP received letters of resignation from  Keith Pitt as the Federal Member for Hinkler and Bill Shorten as the Federal Member for Maribyrnong -- by no by-elections are to be conducted.

With a general election pending, the Speaker has decided that writs will not be issued, and by-elections will not be held for the federal divisions of Hinkler and Maribyrnong.

The Speaker said this would avoid the necessity for the electors of Hinkler and Maribyrnong to participate in two elections within a short period of time.

The electors of Hinkler and Maribyrnong will be given the opportunity to fill the vacancies at the general election, Mr Dick said.

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