TODAY, the Defence Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will conduct its first public hearing into the Department of Defence Annual Report 2022–23.

The subcommittee will hear evidence from the Department of Defence on the inquiry’s first focus item: Assistance to Ukraine.

Chair of the subcommittee, Julian Hill MP said, “The Department of Defence will kick off this inquiry with a public hearing focussed on Australia’s defence assistance to Ukraine. How Defence is providing support through Operation Kudu and how lethal and non-lethal capabilities are transferred to Ukraine in support of its war effort and sovereignty is of great public interest.”

Further information is available on the Inquiry webpage.

Public Hearing Details

Tuesday, 27 February 2024
5:40pm – 6:30pm (AEDT)
Committee Room 1R1, Parliament House, Canberra

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

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THE Trade Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will hold a public hearing today in Adelaide for its inquiry into Australia’s tourism and international education sectors.

The subcommittee will hear evidence from the international education sector including several universities, TAFE SA and StudyAdelaide. The subcommittee will also hear from the South Australian Tourism Commission and several tourism operators in the Adelaide Hills region.

Chair of the Trade Subcommittee, Senator Deborah O’Neill said, "The public hearing in Adelaide will focus on the intersection between international education and tourism rebuilding post COVID-19."

Further information about the inquiry and program, are available on the inquiry webpage.

Public hearings details

Adelaide

Date: Tuesday 20 February 2024
Venue: David Spence Room, 128 King Williams St, Adelaide
Time: 8:30am – 4:45pm (Adelaide time - ACST)

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THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) will hear evidence tomorrow from a range of expert witnesses for the Review of the Defence Amendment (Safeguarding Australia’s Military Secrets) Bill 2023.

The committee will hear from a number of witnesses, including the Australian Industry Group, the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union, and key government agencies: the Department of Defence and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.

 “The Military Secrets Bill will work 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," PJCIS Chair, Peter Khalil MP said. "The committee will closely examine the Military Secrets Bill to ensure that it appropriately manages the potential risk of former defence staff members revealing sensitive defence information and placing Australia’s national security at risk.

“The public hearing will allow the PJCIS to hear from industry groups regarding its potential impacts. The committee will then test this evidence with the Department of Defence who would administer this legislation and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation,” Mr Khalil said.

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

Public Hearing Details

Thursday, 22 February 2024
​10am – 12:15pm (AEDT)
​Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra

A program for the hearing can be found here and the hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

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UNDER the Public Works Committee Act 1969, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works will consider a new referral from the Department of Defence into the Facilities to Support Advanced Growler Phase 6 at an estimated cost of $228.2 million.

The works will take place in both Amberley, Queensland and Delamere, Northern Territory. The construction works will deliver new and upgraded facilities for the operation of the electronic attack aircraft EA-18G Growler.

It is anticipated that the committee will travel to Amberley to conduct a public hearing in relation to the project.

The Committee wants to hear from all individuals or organisations interested in the project. The deadline for public submissions is March 8, 2024, with more information available on the Public Works Committee website.

Committee Chair Graham Perrett MP said, "Public submissions and the public hearings will allow the committee to review the purpose, need and public value of the proposed works."

Note: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works is not involved in the tendering process, awarding of contracts or details of the proposed works. Inquiries on these matters should be addressed to the relevant Commonwealth entities.

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