MASTER Builders Australia has welcomed the decision by the Federal Government to extend the application deadline for the HomeBuilder scheme.

Master Builders CEO Denita Wawn said the building association appreciated the Federal, State and Territory governments' efforts to allow existing applicants who would miss the deadline of April 30, 2023 would have until June 30, 2025.

Weather disruptions and constraints in the supply chain including labour and material shortages have caused unprecedented delays to building timelines Mr Wawn said.

"We have seen the average time it takes to build a home shift from nine to over 12 months," she said. “The extension allows builders to ensure there’s adequate time to deliver on projects during a time that has seen a perfect storm of pressures in the industry.

“We thank Minister Julie Collins for listening to the concerns of builders and the community so Australians are not missing out on the opportunity to have their home building dreams become a reality.

“HomeBuilder effectively saved businesses and jobs during the height of the pandemic and was an appropriate support measure.

“Families rightfully seized the opportunity to enter the home ownership market and it’s only fair that these projects can be followed through to completion,” Ms Wawn said.

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THE Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories will examine ways to foster and promote the significance of Australia’s National Capital in a new inquiry launched today. 

Committee Chair, Alicia Payne MP, said, “Our National Capital belongs to all Australians, and is a city that all Australians should be proud of. Canberra is home to 500,000 Australians and a destination for millions of visitors every year. It is important that Canberra be equipped to meet the expectations and needs of a city designed to reflect who we are as Australians.

“This inquiry will investigate a range of matters relating to Canberra’s role as the national capital, including how national institutions tell the story of Australia, its importance in reflecting Australia’s culture and values, its role in tourism and sport, and the infrastructure resources required to ensure it continues to play its significant role in the life of our country,” Ms Payne said.

The committee is welcoming submissions from interested individuals, organisations and community groups by May 5, 2023. Further information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and how to contribute, is available on the committee’s website.

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training is holding the first public hearing for its inquiry into the perceptions and status of VET.

Lisa Chesters MP, Committee Chair, said, “The committee is commencing its hearings for this important inquiry by hearing from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and Jobs and Skills Australia."

Ms Chesters said, “The Department has responsibility for the Commonwealth skills and training portfolio, and these hearings will provide the Committee with the opportunity to understand and examine the current policy environment before hearing from other stakeholders at future hearings.”

The committee will seek to hold further public hearings over the coming months, with groups and organisations including National Rugby League, TAFE Directors Australia, the Australian Education Union, education peak bodies, employer groups, unions, academics and others.

Details of these public hearings will be posted on the committee website when available. More information on the inquiry, including the full terms of reference and details on making a submission, can be found on the committee website.

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THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) today presented its Advisory Report on the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Modernisation) Bill 2022.

The report considers the operation and effectiveness of the amendments proposed by the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Modernisation) Bill 2022. The Committee recommended the Bill be passed following the implementation of the four remaining recommendations.

The committee considered that information sharing provisions between the IGIS and the committee could be improved and recommended that opportunities to improve information sharing should be pursued. The committee also recommended that an individual’s eligibility for appointment to the role of Inspector-General should occur after an appropriate period of time to be determined by the government, following the individual’s employment in an intelligence agency.

The remaining recommendations provide that the Office of National Intelligence develop an employment framework for staff engaged under their Act, and an amendment to the Bill to ensure consistency between integrity bodies’ legislation.

Committee Chair Peter Khalil MP said: ‘The committee supports improvements that allow the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security to effectively oversee Australia’s intelligence agencies."

Further information on the inquiry as well as a copy of the report can be obtained from the Committee’s website.

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