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Treaties Committee recommends ratification of WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement

THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) has tabled a report recommending the ratification of the Protocol Amending the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (Geneva, June 17, 2022).

The agreement, which is noted as ‘"a historic achievement" by the World Trade Organisation (WTO), is a significant advancement in ocean sustainability. The agreement will prohibit harmful fisheries subsidies which contribute to the widespread depletion of the world’s fish stocks.  

Committee Chair Josh Wilson MP said, “This is the first WTO agreement to focus on environmental sustainability and delivers on a key Sustainable Development Goal target. This is positive for the environment, for humankind and for the sustainability of the world’s fisheries.”

The agreement specifically prohibits subsidies to a vessel or operator that is engaged in illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, in addition to subsidies for fishing of overfished stocks and unregulated high seas fishing.

“The committee notes the importance of addressing the sustainability of the world’s global marine capture fisheries resources," Mr Wilson said. "This is especially important in the Pacific region and it is very welcome that Australia worked in partnership with Pacific nations to realise those interests as part of the treaty negotiations.”

The committee noted the value of the Fisheries Funding Mechanism which will support the implementation of the agreement, to which Australia has already donated A$2 million, reflecting the importance of these issues to Australia. Notably, Australia was the first to make a pledge to the new mechanism.

The committee held a public hearing as part of its inquiry into the Agreement and heard from Government and other stakeholders. The committee noted the support of the government for the agreement.

The committee supports ratification and recommends that binding treaty action be taken.

The report can be found on the Committee website, along with further information on the inquiry.

 

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Audit Committee Public Hearings - Probity and ethics inquiry kicks off, plus BAE Systems on Hunter Class Frigates and Services Australia Procurement

PUBLIC hearings will be held this Friday, September 8, by the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA).

It will include an appearance by the CEO of BAE Systems Australia regarding the $46 billion Hunter Class Frigates project, as part of the inquiry into Defence Major Projects Reports and Procurement of Hunter Class Frigates.

It will also be the first public hearings for its Inquiry into probity and ethics in the Australian public sector, examining potential systemic factors contributing to poor ethical behaviour.

It will also hear from Services Australia’s CEO regarding Infosys’ Entitlement Calculator Engine project as part of the Procurement at Services Australia and the National Disability Insurance Agency Inquiry.

The first public hearing in the probity and ethics inquiry will include:

  • a roundtable with Australia’s financial regulators—the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, and Australian Securities and Investments Commission
  • the Department of Health and Aged Care (Health) on the Community Health and Hospitals Program
  • the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (DITRDCA) on ‘Artbank’.

Committee Chair Julian Hill MP said," While the three financial regulators received generally positive reviews following audits by the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO), the reports regarding the Community Health and Hospitals and Artbank programs were very concerning.

“Serious shortcomings were found by the ANAO in Health’s administration of the Community Health and Hospitals Program, and in DITRDCA’s administration of the Artbank program. Light must be shone on failings such as these so we can strengthen government integrity and accountability.

“The committee is very keen to hear directly from BAE Systems Australia regarding the procurement and progress of the $46 billion Hunter Class Frigate program.

“Services Australia will have an opportunity to respond to evidence provided by Infosys and explain why the $191 million Entitlement Calculator Engine commissioned in 2019 was written off."

Public hearing details

Date: Friday 8 September 2023Time: 9am – 4pmVenue: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra

For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website.

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Experts to discuss AI in Australian education

THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training is holding its first public hearing for its inquiry into the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the Australian education system.

Committee Chair Lisa Chesters MP said, “The committee is convening a panel of AI experts to open our public hearing program. This panel brings together expertise in education, curriculum innovation and digital technology, the responsible and ethical use of AI, and policy and regulation.

“The use of generative AI has increased rapidly in the past year including by students and teachers,” Ms Chesters said.

“Submissions to the inquiry have identified issues that we want to explore further, including the risks AI poses to academic integrity, and the potential it offers to personalise learning and address educational disadvantage,” Ms Chesters said.

“The committee will hold further public hearings over the coming months to examine these and other issues in depth, with representatives from government agencies, educational institutions, peak bodies, academics, and others.”

Public hearing details will be posted on the Committee’s website when available. More information on the inquiry, including the full terms of reference and how to make a submission, can be found on the committee website.

Public hearing details

Date: Wednesday 6 September 2023Time: 11am to 12pmLocation: Committee Room 2S3

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

 

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Treaties Committee to consider India Co-Production Agreement

THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will hold a public hearing today into the Audiovisual Co-production Agreement between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of Australia.

Committee Chair, Josh Wilson MP said, “The agreement builds on the already strong relationship between Australia and India to develop high quality projects that will encourage screen industry employment, technical development and cultural exchange.”

The agreement provides a framework for the parties to cooperate to approve the creation of audiovisual productions which includes feature films, television, video recordings, animations, and digital format productions. The agreement in question would be Australia’s 14th co-production arrangement.  

Mr Wilson said, “India is a valuable partner and market for Australian co-productions. Australia would be able to reach a large audience in India and showcase Australian culture, landscapes, and stories.”

The committee will hear from officials from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, Screen Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and other stakeholders.

Public hearing details

Date:               Monday 4 September 2023Time:               about 11:20amLocation:         Committee Room 2R1 and videoconference

The hearing can be accessed online and the program for this hearing is available on the Committee website, along with further information about the inquiry.

 

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Security Committee to hear about hate symbols legislation

THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) is holding a public hearing today, September 1, for its review of the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Prohibited Hate Symbols and Other Measures) Bill 2023.

The committee will hear from a range of government and non-government representatives to discuss the bill’s proposed prohibition of displaying and trading in Nazi and Islamic State symbols, as well as other measures in the Bill to strengthen terrorism offences.

The committee’s website has a full program for the hearing, and the hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

Peter Khalil MP, Chair of the PJCIS, said, “The committee looks forward to hearing a range of views to inform its consideration of the Hate Symbols Bill. We will be particularly interested in hearing about possible unintended consequences and how these might be addressed to ensure that the Bill appropriately deals with violent extremist material.”

On June 14, 2023, the Attorney-General wrote to the committee referring the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Prohibited Hate Symbols and Other Measures) Bill 2023 for the Committee’s review.

The Bill would amend the Criminal Code Act 1995 to:

  • create offences for publicly displaying prohibited Nazi or Islamic State symbols, and trading in items bearing these symbols;
  • create offences for using a carriage service to deal with violent extremist material;
  • strengthen the offence of advocating terrorism; and
  • remove the sunsetting of terrorist organisation listings.

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

Public hearing

1 September 20239am – 4pm AESTCommittee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra; and via videoconference.

 

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