SMALL-TO-MEDIUM arts organisations along with peak bodies are giving evidence next Monday at public hearing roundtables to discuss boosting arts and cultural philanthropy.
Chair of the House Standing Committee on Communications, the Arts and Sport, Susan Templeman MP, said, “Small-to-medium arts organisations are an essential part of our cultural sector. They nurture talent, build careers and provide transformative opportunities for creatives.
“Public funding should provide a bedrock of support for small to medium organisations, but we also don’t want them to miss out on the opportunity to access philanthropic support.
“Hearing from these organisations along with the peak bodies that represent them will ensure that their experiences are front and centre when considering how to boost Australia’s philanthropic giving.”
Public hearing details are below, along with the full terms of reference available on the inquiry webpage.
More information about the committee, including membership, may be found on the Committee’s website.
HOUSING Industry Association (HIA) managing director Jocelyn Martin has acknowledged the work performed by Mark Irving KC and his decision to step away from the administration of the CFMEU.
Ms Martin also reiterated HIA's statement reiterating "the importance of maintaining momentum on meaningful, long‑term cultural reforms across the building and construction sector".
“HIA recognises the role the administrator has played in highlighting serious impropriety and governance problems within unionised parts of the industry," Ms Martin said.
“What matters now is ensuring those issues are addressed through durable, system‑wide reform that improves behaviour, productivity and trust.
“HIA emphasises the importance of urgently progressing the National Construction Industry Forum (NCIF) Blueprint for Reform. This Blueprint provides a practical and balanced roadmap through its tripartite membership, which includes HIA, to address poor workplace culture, strengthen compliance and lift standards across the sector," Ms Martin said.
"HIA also welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Amanda Rishworth, of a consultation process on establishing a new Building and Construction Industry Standard, describing it as a significant opportunity to reset expectations across the industry -- if implemented carefully and pragmatically.
“It is critical that any new industry standard supports lawful behaviour, cultural improvement and accountability, without imposing unnecessary barriers on legitimate businesses -- particularly small and medium residential builders and contractors," she said.
“It is particularly important that access to Commonwealth‑funded work is not contingent on employers being covered by enterprise agreements. The housing sector relies heavily on small businesses and subcontractors and reforms must not recreate settings that exclude capable employers or distort competition on Commonwealth‑funded projects.
“The proposed areas of focus for the new Industry Standard -- including removing veto power over subcontractor choice, permanently excluding proven bad actors through fit and proper person tests, improving coordination between regulators, addressing the influence of unlawful intermediaries, strengthening whistleblower protections and improving dispute resolution -- have the potential to drive genuine cultural change if implemented equitably and consistently and appropriately enforced.
“HIA strongly supports measures that stamp out unlawful conduct such as coercion, bribery or misuse of power and return the ‘rule of law’ to construction sites," Ms Martin said.
“Conversely, any reform must not unnecessarily burden compliant businesses doing the right thing, by inadvertently imposing requirements that are not fit for purpose and intended to target systemic bad behaviours.
"The consultation process must be genuine, transparent and nationally consistent, with a strong focus on practical outcomes that improve industry culture while supporting productivity and workforce participation.
“Reform of this scale cannot be symbolic. Getting the next phase of the CFMEU’s administration and implementation of the NCIF Blueprint and industry standard right is essential to restoring confidence, supporting housing supply and ensuring the construction sector remains an attractive place to work and invest,” Ms Martin said.
THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) will hold a public hearing on Wednesday (April 29) as part of its inquiry into the Commonwealth Financial Statements 2023-24 and 2024-25.
Committee Chair Josh Burns MP, said, "This hearing provides the committee an opportunity to examine key themes identified through the Australian National Audit Office’s (ANAO) audit of the Commonwealth Financial Statements.
"Of particular interest to the committee are entity compliance with legislation including section 83 of the Constitution; the IT control environment and best practice in resolving issues; and the increasing use of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, across the public service."
Public hearing details
Date: Wednesday 29 April 2026
Time: 9.30am to 12.30pm (AEST)
Location: 2R1 and online
Witnesses:
Session 1: Compliance with legislation, including section 83 of the Constitution (9.30am to 10.25am)
ANAO
Australian Centre for Agricultural Research
Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicine Authority
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
Services Australia
Session 2: IT control environment (10.30am to 11.20am)
ANAO
Department of Defence
Department of Finance
NBN Co Limited
Session 3: Increasing use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (11.35am to 12.30pm)
ANAO
Australian Public Service Commission
Australian Taxation Office
Department of Finance
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
Digital Transformation Agency
The hearing will be broadcast live on the Parliament House website at www.aph.gov.au/live.
Details of the inquiry – including the terms of reference and public hearings – will be made available on the Committee website.
Subcommittee Chair, Fiona Phillips MP said, "These hearings will allow the subcommittee to engage directly with organisations and individuals based in Victoria and New South Wales and hear unique and important insights into how Australia can strengthen its trade and investment relations with Africa.
"The subcommittee will hear from a variety of organisations and individuals, including across business, media, logistics and community groups, each of whom will have the opportunity to share their perspectives on the changing demographic and economic opportunities across Africa’s diverse markets."
In Melbourne, the subcommittee will hear from:
Mr Gebreselasie Gebru;
Australia Africa Chamber of Commerce;
Australia Zimbabwe Business Council;
African Professionals of Australia Limited;
Australian Industry Group;
Africa Media Australia;
Emerging Brand Africa;
Sanctuary Global Enterprises;
Ms Bronwen Halfpenny MP, Member for Thomastown.
In Sydney, the subcommittee will hear from:
Vitti Capital: African Professionals of Australia; African Advocacy Centre; Western Sydney University;
Kenya Community NSW;
Food Markies / Multicultural Food Hub;
Export Council of Australia.
"The evidence gathered at these hearings will identify opportunities and barriers to Australia’s trade and investment with African nations and inform recommendations to the Australian Government,’ Mrs Phillips said.
Public Hearing Details
Melbourne
Date: Wednesday, 29 April 2026 Time: 9am – 3pm (AEST) Location: Parliament of Victoria, 55 St Andrews Place, Melbourne – Hearing Room 3 Davui
The committee wants to better understand the funding challenges faced by local government and its workers who provide infrastructure and deliver services to residents of two of Australia’s largest cities in Melbourne and Sydney, and to fast growing regional areas nearby in both Victoria and NSW.
Committee Chair, Fiona Phillips said, “The committee is looking forward to learning more about the fiscal sustainability of local government in both Victoria and NSW, potential solutions to current challenges, and the impacts of rising demands on the sector’s workforce.”
Hearings will begin in Melbourne on Tuesday (April 28) where the committee will hear from local government representative bodies, unions, metropolitan councils and regional councils. The committee will explore a range of issues including grant distribution processes, workforce issues, and labour market conditions across Victoria.
The committee will then travel to Sydney for hearings on Thursday (April 30) and Friday (May 1) to hear from academic experts, state government officials, councils from metropolitan, regional and outer‑urban areas, unions, and other stakeholders. Discussions will cover financial sustainability, insurance and risk, workforce challenges, and broader pressures facing local government across New South Wales.
Programs for each public hearing are available on the inquiry webpage.
Further information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and how to contribute, is available on the Committee’s website.
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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