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Public Works Committee supports redevelopment of Blamey Barracks

TODAY, Tony Zappia MP, Chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works presented the Public Works Committee’s second report of 2026 to the House of Representatives.

Report 2/2026 – Referral made in September 2025 considers the proposed redevelopment of Blamey Barracks, Kapooka, New South Wales for a total estimated cost of $889.2 million (excluding GST).

Following an inquiry during which the committee had the opportunity to visit the Barracks and see firsthand the conditions of the site and question Department of Defence officials at public and in-camera hearings in Wagga Wagga, the committee found that the proposed works would bring the Barracks in line with today’s standards. The committee has recommended the House of Representatives approve the works.

Mr Zappia said, "As the Home of the Solider, Blamey Barracks played a vital role for Defence in the basic training of Army recruits and ensuring Defence is able to maintain capability requirements as outlined in the 2024 National Defence Strategy.

"The redevelopment project will support Defence workforce planning by ensuring that Blamey Barracks has modern and fit-for-purpose facilities for recruits to live and train in," Mr Zappia said.

"After seeing the condition of the current facilities firsthand, the committee agrees that the site is in need of an upgrade."

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

 

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Insurance industry to support customers as conflict drives up costs

THE Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) hastasked its most senior industry committee to actively manage the evolving impacts of the Middle East conflict across all insurance lines, ensuring the industry is ready to respond swiftly for customers.

Preliminary industry data shows the increasing fuel costs are disrupting existing supply chains, increasing the cost of materials,and delaying labour to completerepairs to homes and vehicles. 

Insurers have reported price increases of up to 36% for building materials, up to 30% for trades and on-site specialists, and up to 50% for freight.

Following a meeting of the ICA Board earlier this week, the ICA’s Board Strategy Committee will:

  • Work with member companies to support consumers seeking hardship assistance in line with the General Insurance Code of Practice.

  • Lead cross-sector engagement with government and industry stakeholders to anticipate supply chain disruptions and develop mitigation strategies.

  • Coordinate proactive communications to small businesses, encouraging them to talk to their insurer and/or broker for information around policy coverage or adjustments to premiums.

While claims directly linked to Middle East supply chain disruptions have not yet materialised, the ICA has systems in place to track, detect and respond to any shifts as they emerge.

The ICA noted the Federal Government’s release on Monday of four levels of action: ‘plan and prepare’; ‘keeping Australia moving’; ‘taking targeted action’; and ‘protecting critical service’ and is committed to working with the Australian Government on practical relief measures during this uncertain time.

ICA CEO Andrew Hall said, "The insurance sector, as always through times of crisis, stands ready to work together with Government to support Australians assupply chains cause further disruption and add cost pressures to customers and the operations of the industry.

"In the same way the ICAworks when a natural catastrophe occurs, the board has tasked the industry’s most senior executives to monitor impacts and, as appropriate, coordinate the industry’s response. 

"We welcome National Cabinet’s announcement on Mondayaround the staging of the impacts of the war on Australia, as we continue to work with state and federal governments to support Australians," Mr Hall said.

"If insurance customers have any concerns or believe they have a claim they should speak with the insurer or broker in the first instance."

 

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Committee to hear from lead department on circular economy benefits and impediments for solar panels

THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water will hold its first public hearing on Wednesday, April 1, as part of its inquiry into solar panel reuse and recycling. The inquiry was referred on January 19 by the Minister for the Environment and Water, Senator Murray Watt.

The public hearing will provide an opportunity for the committee to question officials from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water about current policy settings, regulatory arrangements and future options to improve the sustainability and circularity of Australia’s solar energy system.

The committee has received submissions from all levels of government, various businesses, peak associations and individuals in the sector.

Committee Chair, Anne Urquhart MP, said, "The public hearing provides an important opportunity to examine the department’s views on Australia’s preparedness for managing end‑of‑life solar panels as installations continue to grow nationwide, and the opportunities and challenges associated with expanding domestic reuse and recycling capabilities. 

“Australia has one of the highest rates per capita of rooftop solar panel installation in the world.” Ms Urquhart said. “As we continue to transition to renewable energy, we must ensure that the components of the system we build—in this case the solar panels—do not become a long-term environmental and economic burden."

Australia’s circular economy framework will be discussed, and how it aligns with the views expressed by industry stakeholders and environmental groups in submissions to the inquiry. The committee will also discuss the current and potential viable panel reuse streams in the local economy, and how this could be fostered.

Public hearing details:

Date:               Wednesday, 1 April 2026
Time:               10am to 11am (AEDT)
Location:         Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House Canberra and online.

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

Hearing with:   Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water

Further information, including the terms of reference, can be found on the committee’s website.

 

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Public Works Committee referred proposed works by the AFP and CSIRO

THE Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works has recently commenced two new inquiries into proposed works by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) under the Public Works Committee Act 1969.

The AFP is proposing to fit out new premises for its Northern Command Headquarters located in Brisbane, Queensland.

The proposed new premises will replace the AFP’s existing two major Brisbane offices in Newstead and Fortitude Valley with 10,594 square metres of floorspace at 949 Ann Street in the Brisbane CBD. As well as office space, the proposed works will deliver over 3,000sqm of technical and specialist areas. The estimated cost of the proposed works in $89.3 million (excluding GST).

The CSIRO is proposing to upgrade and fit out Building 302 at its complex in Clayton, Victorian to deliver purpose-built laboratory facilities for staff relocating from the CSIRO’s site located in Aspendale, Victoria. The proposed works will allow the CSIRO to consolidate staff into modern, fit-for-purpose, compliant, and future-ready accommodation at the Clayton site and maintain capacity for vital atmospheric and climate science. The estimated cost of the proposed works is $18.27 million (excluding GST).

The committee has invited interested individuals and organisations to make submissions by Friday, May 1, 2026 for the AFP referral and Monday, May 11, 2026 for the CSIRO referral. More information is available on the inquiry websites: AFP, Brisbane and CSIRO, Clayton.

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

 

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Social Policy and Legal Affairs Committee to hear from government agencies at first hearing

THE Social Policy and Legal Affairs Committee will hold its first hearing of its inquiry into the link between domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) and suicide on Friday, March 27.

Committee Chair, Louise Miller-Frost MP, said the hearing provides "an important opportunity to understand how Commonwealth agencies are currently capturing data, coordinating services, and responding to DFSV victimisation that is linked to suicide risk".

The committee will hear from six Australian Government agencies:

  • Department of Social Services
  • Attorney-General’s Department
  • Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
  • National Indigenous Australians Agency
  • Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
  • Australian Bureau of Statistics

"These government bodies play a central role in shaping national policy, and their insights will provide a strong launching pad for the committee’s inquiry,’ Ms Miller-Frost said.

"The committee is expecting to hold interstate hearings in April and further hearings in Canberra over the coming months," Ms Miller-Frost said.

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

Public hearing details

Date: Friday, 27 March 2026
Time: 10am to 12.15pm
Location: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra

Programs for each public hearing are available on the inquiry website.

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

 

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