THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has today tabled an advisory report on the Transport Security Amendment (Security of Australia’s Transport Sector) Bill 2024.

The report makes recommendations about proposed amendments to the Aviation Transport Security Act 2004 (ATSA) and the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003 (MTOFSA).

Committee Chair, Senator Raff Ciccone, said, "It has been over 20 years since the ATSA and MTOFSA became law and in that time the threat environment has changed considerably. It is appropriate that the legislative framework governing transport security change along with it.

"The committee’s advisory report makes a number of recommendations — recommendations that seek to improve the bill and make our aviation and maritime industries even safer than they are already."

Further information on the inquiry, and the full report, can be obtained from the Committee’s website.

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THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has today released its report on public sector artificial intelligence (AI) use.

The committee examined the current policy settings for AI use across the Federal Government to determine if they were fit for purpose.

Committee Chair Linda Burney said, "These policy and governance frameworks must be equipped to adequately assess the great promise that AI brings but also understand the inherent and significant risks that accompany its use."

The committee’s recommendations include:

• that the Australian Public Service Commission introduce detailed questions on the use and understanding of AI systems into its annual APS census;
• that a whole of Government working group be established within 12 months to consider what mandatory rules, governance frameworks and legislation will be needed for AI systems across the Commonwealth;
• that a statutory Joint Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies be established to give the Parliament fully effective oversight of how the government and the public service is managing the impacts of AI.

“If effective and coordinated governance frameworks for AI systems are not implemented now, a very real concern of the committee is that this technology will outpace the government’s ability to do so in the very near future,” Ms Burney said.

The report can be downloaded from the inquiry website.

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MASTER BUILDERS Australia CEO Denita Wawn has announced the building and construction industry "has lost one of its finest leaders" with the passing of Brian Seidler AM, the long-standing executive director of Master Builders Association of NSW. 

"Today, the Master Builders family around the country is mourning the loss of a leader who’s selfless 40-year devotion ensured that the industry’s voice was heard," Ms Wawn said.

"The building and construction industry is in a better place because of Brian Seidler.

"Brian’s tireless, tenacious, and energetic commitment was astonishing, and his legacy is far reaching. We will miss him greatly," Ms Wawn said.

"Our thoughts are with his family and the staff of Master Builders NSW."

www.masterbuilders.com.au

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Trade and Investment Growth has completed its inquiry into the understanding and utilisation of benefits under free trade agreements.

Throughout the inquiry the Committee heard from experts about how to ensure businesses and communities can take advantage of trade opportunities. The Committee focussed on the extent to which small and medium sized enterprises, First Nations, and diaspora communities are able to engage with trade.

The Chair of the Committee, Mr Steve Georganas MP, said: “This inquiry highlighted the strength of Australia as a trading nation and the remarkable success that so many Australian businesses have had in making the most of the opportunities presented by international trade.

However, there is untapped potential. We must continue to ensure that more Australian businesses and communities are able to participate if we are to maximise the economic and social benefits of trade for all Australians.”

The Committee’s report makes thirteen recommendations to Government to boost access of Australian business to the benefits of trade, including by:

• Publishing more information and data on the uptake and utilisation of trade agreements.
• Developing a strategy to build awareness and capacity for Australian businesses to engage with trade and trade agreements, including through collaboration with industry bodies.
• Continuing to work proactively with industry to identify and resolve non-tariff barriers to trade, including advocating for greater standards harmonisation.
• Accelerating initiatives to streamline requirements and processes involved in accessing trade agreements, particularly relating to rules of origin and certificates of origin.
• Creating a strategy for enhanced targeted education and outreach programs among groups such as small and medium sized enterprises, First Nations, and diaspora communities.
• Supporting research to better understand how and to what extent different participants in the economy engage with and benefit from trade and free trade agreements.
• Providing communications material and trade facilitation initiatives in non-English languages to more effectively engage with local diaspora communities.

Throughout the inquiry, the Committee held public hearings in Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney, and virtually, in addition to receiving 35 written submissions from businesses, industry groups and peak bodies, government agencies, community organisations, academics, and individuals.

The Committee would like to thank all those who have taken part in the inquiry by providing written submissions and giving evidence at public hearings.

The Committee’s final report can be found on the inquiry webpage alongside further information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference, published submissions, and public hearing transcripts.

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