THE Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters will be holding hearings in Adelaide on May 4 and 5 as part of its inquiry into the 2025 Federal Election.

Committee Chair, Jerome Laxale MP said, "People across Australia have told the committee about their experiences of aggressive and confrontational behaviour at polling booths. Hearing about these experiences contributes to the committee’s efforts to ensure voting at the next election is the peaceful expression of civic pride it should be.

"When the committee visits Adelaide, South Australians are encouraged to talk about their own experiences of the 2025 Federal Election. The evidence gathered will inform the committee’s efforts to prevent poor behaviour at future federal elections," Mr Laxale said.

To register interest in making a five-minute statement at upcoming hearings, contact the Committee Secretariat at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The committee also expects to discuss South Australia’s landmark Truth in Political Advertising laws, to assess whether similar laws should apply to federal elections.

Further information on the 2025 election inquiry can be found at the inquiry webpage. Committee details can be found at the Committee’s webpage.

Public hearing details

Date: Monday 4 May and Tuesday 5 May 2026
Location: Hotel Grand Chancellor, 65 Hindley St, Adelaide SA 5000

Programs for these upcoming hearings will be advertised on the Committee’s public hearings webpage as they are finalised. The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

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THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) has commenced three new inquiries. These inquiries will consider the management of client privacy by public sector entities, the administration of the age pension, and Defence procurement.

Chair of the Committee, Josh Burns MP, said, "These inquiries address important areas identified by the committee for further examination, including issues raised in recent Australian National Audit Office audits."

Inquiry into the management of client privacy in the Australian public sector

The committee will examine the frameworks used to identify and manage privacy risks, and meet the requirements of the Privacy Act 1988, in public sector entities that manage information on private individuals.

The committee will also examine the ability of public sector entities holding personal information to respond effectively to data breaches, cyber threats, and 'malicious actors'.

Inquiry into the administration of the Age Pension

The committee will examine the Department of Social Services’ and Services Australia’s administration of the Age Pension with reference to the effectiveness of oversight arrangements, processes for assessing applicant and recipient eligibility, and arrangements to communicate and manage engagement with applicants and recipients.

Inquiry into Defence’s procurement of Infantry Fighting Vehicles (Land 400 Phase 3)

The committee will examine any matters contained in and associated with Auditor-General Report No. 26 2025-26 Defence’s Procurement of Infantry Fighting Vehicles (Land 400 Phase 3) with particular reference to whether Defence conducted an effective tender process, and whether Defence established effective contracting arrangements to support the achievement of value for money outcomes.

Submissions to these inquiries addressing their terms of reference are invited by Friday, May 8, 2026.

Details of these inquiries – including terms of reference, submissions received and public hearing schedules – can be accessed on the committee’s website.

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Education will hold two public hearings as a part of its inquiry into building Asia capability in Australia through the education system and beyond.

On Monday, April 13,  the committee will hear from community language organisations, language educators, and foreign policy experts to better understand how language and cultural learning builds long-term Asia capability in Australia.

On Tuesday, the public hearing will focus on perspectives from the business community, and examine the skills and capabilities needed to engage effectively with Asian economies. The committee will hear from business leaders and graduates who will discuss the linkages between the education system and successful careers and engagement in the region. 

Committee Chair, Tim Watts MP, said the hearings "will provide valuable insight into how Australia can take a more coordinated and sustained approach to building Asia capability and why this is strategically important".

"These hearings will help the committee understand how education, language skills and community ties can better support Australia’s economic, social and strategic interests," Mr Watts said.

Public hearings

Date: Monday, 13 April 2026
Time: 10.30am – 4.15pm
Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra

Date: Tuesday, 14 April 2026
Time: 11.00am – 2.15pm
Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra

A program for the public hearing is available on the inquiry website. A live broadcast of the hearing will also be available on the APH website.

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Implementation of the National Redress Scheme will hold a public hearing in Canberra today (April 8) for its inquiry into the continuing operation of the scheme.

Committee Chair, Jodie Belyea MP, said the committee was grateful for the contributions made in support of the inquiry to date.

"The committee has received a substantial number of submissions in support of our current inquiry and heard evidence from a range of stakeholders," Ms Belyea said.

"On Wednesday, the committee will hear from Redress Support Services, lived experience advisers, and participating institutions. This evidence will help the committee understand issues from a range of perspectives as the scheme enters its final operational stage."

The committee will continue to hear evidence from a wide range of stakeholders and individuals as it examines issues related to the effective, safe and equitable management of the scheme.

More information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference and submissions, can be found on the inquiry webpage.

Public hearing details

Date: Wednesday, 8 April 2026
Time: 9:15am – 4pm (AEST)
Location: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra and via videoconference

A program for the public hearing is available on the inquiry webpage.

Public hearings are broadcast live on the Australian Parliament House Streaming Portal.

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