THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) today presented its Annual Report of Committee Activities 2023-2024.

During the reporting period, the committee continued with a busy program of work. It was largely occupied with reviewing a range of prospective and existing national security legislation, in addition to its ongoing oversight activities.

Over the review period the Committee presented 14 reports, held 50 meetings and briefings, including eight public hearings, and worked on a total of 21 inquiries. These included annual reviews of the administration and expenditure of intelligence agencies, examination of bills before Parliament, statutory reviews of existing legislation and reviews of the listing and re-listing of terrorist organisations.

Legislative changes which took effect in August 2023 saw the committee’s membership increase from 11 to 13, and the appointment of two new members.

Committee Chair, Senator Raff Ciccone, said, "This annual report shows that the committee continues to manage a high workload in a diligent and bipartisan manner to fulfil its important oversight and inquiry functions, and to ensure that national security laws remain appropriate and effective.

"The committee thanks all who made contributions to the various inquiries and reviews undertaken during the 2023-2024 financial year," Senator Ciccone said.

Further information on the functions and role of the committee, a copy of the annual report and all the reports presented by the committee during the review period, can be obtained from the Committee’s website.

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THE Joint Standing Committee on the Implementation of the National Redress Scheme has today tabled its report, following its inquiry into the operation of the National Redress Scheme. The report Redress: Journey to Justice was agreed to by all committee members.

Committee Chair, Senator Catryna Bilyk, said, "We acknowledge what the scheme has achieved for many survivors, as well as the hard work and effort that goes into administering the scheme. However, the committee’s unanimous findings have highlighted barriers to accessing the scheme, which need to be addressed to ensure no further harm is done to survivors of institutional child sexual abuse."

The Deputy Chair, Senator Dean Smith, said, "We thank the many members of the public who bravely shared their experiences with the committee. You have been heard and the report’s recommendations reflect your vital insights."

The report makes 29 recommendations, which focus on the accessibility, performance and effectiveness of the scheme. This includes whether the scheme is meeting the needs of victims and survivors who are seeking redress, whether those needs will be met before the scheme is due to cease in 2028, and whether the scheme fairly and accurately assesses the needs of each survivor seeking redress.

The committee has also recommended improving the accessibility of quality legal advice, and support services, for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse seeking redress.

The committee urged "all named institutions and governments to work together to continue National Redress Scheme reform".

The committee said it sincerely appreciated the contributions made by survivors to the inquiry.

The full report of the inquiry can be found on the committee’s inquiry webpage.

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FIRST NATIONS Australians are significant contributors to Australia’s economy but access to finance and capital is limiting their economic empowerment and financial wellbeing.

These are the findings of the Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs report on its inquiry into economic self-determination and opportunities for First Nations Australians.

First Nations businesses and organisations are reported to have a higher social return on investment than many businesses working in mainstream industries – for every dollar of revenue spent, First Nations enterprises create about $4.41 of economic and social value. First Nations businesses are 40 to 100 times more likely to employ First Nations people.

Supported by research from the University of Melbourne, the inquiry received evidence showing First Nations businesses contribute $16.1 billion in revenue each year, pay $4.2 billion in wages, and employ more than 116,000 people.

The inquiry also put a spotlight on the structural barriers and systemic disadvantages to economic growth that First Nations people face. Evidence includes reported barriers to accessing finance and capital, starting a business, scaling up a business, leveraging land for economic purposes, as well as a lack of institutional trust, negative risk stereotypes, lower accrued intergenerational wealth and commercial acumen.

The report calls for a fundamental reframing of the First Nations economic narrative – one that embraces broader economic and fiscal policies. All levels of government, financial institutions, and investors must strengthen existing, and develop new, instruments to enhance First Nations people’s access to finance and capital. Financial institutions should remove impediments to responsible lending and capital flow to First Nations people.

The report makes 22 recommendations to the government including:

• strengthening existing, and developing new, instruments to enhance and fast track First Nations peoples’ access to finance and capital.
• capturing longitudinal First Nations economic and business data to support policy design and improve the institutional trust of First Nations enterprises.
• strengthening First Nations cultural and intellectual property laws to deliver significant commercial opportunities.
• considering capacity and capability support for First Nations communities to enable the growth of emerging industries and Australia’s economy.
• ensuring resourcing for Prescribed Bodies Corporates in the Native Title Act 1993 is sufficient to enable delivery of their full legislated potential.
• considering a target for First Nations project ownership and equity in clean energy.
• on completion of the Australian Law Reform Commission Future Acts Regime Review, considering whether a full review of Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) is required to deliver economic opportunities on the Indigenous estate.

Senator Jana Stewart and Committee Chair, a Mutthi Mutthi and Wamba Wamba woman, said the inquiry showed the contribution of First Nations people to Australia’s economy and local communities is significant, far reaching, and rapidly growing.

“Australia’s First Peoples, my ancestors, have been successful traders, innovators, entrepreneurs, and knowledge holders for more than 65,000 years," Senator Stewart said.

“Unlocking greater growth of Australia’s economy and transforming First Peoples to long-term generators of wealth and equity requires change from all levels of government, financial institutions, and investors.

“The future is bright with the right approach — one that embraces broader economic and fiscal policies, reshapes the public narrative, engages a strengths-based framework, stimulates investment and trade, and works in genuine partnership.”

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts is holding a public hearing tomorrow and on Monday for its inquiry into the challenges and opportunities within the Australian live music industry.

On Friday, the committee will hear from witnesses including Untitled Group, TEG and Oztix. Live Nation is scheduled to give evidence on Monday.

The Chair Brian Mitchell MP, said, "‘The committee has seen recent media reports relating to issues including dynamic ticket pricing and market settings for live music events in Australia.

"What has been reported captured popular attention and is very relevant to the committee’s inquiry into live music.

"We would like to examine these issues further and allow event promotors and ticketing businesses an opportunity to discuss their perspective."

Details of the public hearings are below, with the full programs and terms of reference available on the inquiry webpage. More information about the committee, including membership, may be found on the Committee’s website.

Public hearing details

Date: Friday, 22 November 2024
Time: 9am – around 11:40am AEDT
Location: Australian Parliament House, Committee Room 1R3

Date: Monday, 25 November 2024
Time: 9am – 10am AEDT
Location: Australian Parliament House, Committee Room 2R1

The hearings will be broadcast live @AUSParliamentLive .

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