THE Defence Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade has completed its inquiry into the Department of Defence Annual Report 2022-23.

Defence Subcommittee Chair, Brendan O’Connor MP, said, "This inquiry examined Australia’s assistance to Ukraine, the Defence health system, Defence’s Capability Assurance Mechanism, Artificial Intelligence and autonomous weapons and armaments manufacture, procurement and inventory.

"Australia’s strategic environment is rapidly evolving with rising global tensions and potentially reduced warning time for conflict. In response Australia is investing in Indo-Pacific partnerships and deepening engagement across with our allies around the world," Mr O'Connor said.

"A cornerstone of our approach remains our unwavering support for Ukraine. This support is critical to Ukraine’s defence and to the need for a stable, rules-based international order. Australia’s support to Ukraine must be carefully coordinated and sustained for the long-term.

"The subcommittee believes a 'Ukraine lens' should be applied to the decision-making process around the retirement of equipment from military service. This will allow more effective planning and provide time to ensure Australia’s ongoing compliance with international agreements and treaties. Furthermore, transparency in the decision-making process is essential.

"Australia’s training contributions to Ukraine through Operation KUDU have proven highly successful. We are committed to continuing our support for the training of both Ukrainian forces and civilians to enhance their resilience.

"The subcommittee believes there is a strong case for reopening Australia’s embassy in Kyiv, as a physical diplomatic presence would strengthen our bilateral ties with Ukraine and align us with the 70 other nations that have reopened their embassies," Mr O'Connor said.

"The inquiry also identifies challenges facing Defence and its health services contractor in providing healthcare services to over 60,000 personnel across various Defence units. Staffing shortages and delays in medical appointments remain ongoing concerns.

"The 2023 Defence Strategic Review and the 2024 National Defence Strategy provide a clear roadmap for addressing the challenges facing Defence. The focus on minimum viable capabilities, timely delivery, and allocated funding, Defence will be able to meet its objectives and build the Integrated Force of 2031. The subcommittee also reviewed Defence’s capability assurance systems recognising that the cyber and space worthiness systems are still in development.

"Australia finds itself facing an elevated risk of state-on-state conflict. To meet these challenges head-on, the Australian Government, in collaboration with our AUKUS partners, is prioritising the development and acquisition of asymmetric capabilities, including autonomous weapons systems. Such technologies will empower the Australian Defence Force to project influence and ensure our capacity for impactful and proportionate action in any scenario.

"Rapid advancements in AI and computing will continue to shape the future of weapon systems. As we develop and acquire new capabilities, it is essential that we fully integrate artificial intelligence and autonomous weapons systems to ensure they meet the requirements of our defence strategy, while also remaining committed to the principle that all capabilities must be fully compliant with international humanitarian law. Australia should continue contributing to international discussions on AI policy, and we must stay informed of evolving international law and policy developments.

"The subcommittee acknowledged the need to strengthen Australia’s sovereign defence capabilities and our reliance on international supply chains, particularly around munitions. While challenges remain, the subcommittee is confident that Defence’s ongoing efforts to improve its systems and capabilities will position Australia’s defence for long-term success.

"To finish, I would like to thank the Deputy Chair, Andrew Wallace MP, and other members of the subcommittee for their contributions to this inquiry. I also extend my thanks to the former Chair, Julian Hill MP, for his critical contributions to the inquiry as the former chair of the subcommittee. I thank the Committee Secretariat and the significant support from Defence in briefing the subcommittee and supporting its site visits in Queensland and Victoria.’

The Defence Subcommittee’s recommendations are for:

• Defence and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to establish a dedicated 'one-stop-shop' – to streamline Australia’s efforts to support Ukraine to ensure that we are more efficient and effective when providing assistance going forward.
• The Department of Defence and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade publish a summary of its decision-making processes, enabling the public to understand the rationale behind these decisions and increasing trust in our actions.
• The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to re-open Australia’s embassy in Kyiv inclusive of an Australian military attaché.
• Defence and its health contractor to investigate delays with the provision of medical specialist services and take steps to ensure timely service delivery that meets the needs of our personnel.
• Defence address shortcomings with cyber and space worthiness systems.
• Defence establish test and evaluation frameworks, ensuring systems are thoroughly validated before deployment. Additionally, we must address challenges such as automation bias and ensure that our personnel are trained to understand the limitations of these new technologies.
• Defence to continue adhering to the requirements of Article 36 of the Geneva Conventions and other relevant international obligations as we develop, acquire, and deploy new defence technologies.
• In order to reduce supply chain vulnerabilities in times of conflict or other disruptions Defence sourcing more components domestically.
• Defence to develop a transparent reporting framework for Guided Weapons Explosive Ordnance stock holdings to allow for the tracking of progress and enhancements to Australia’s self-reliance in munitions production.

Further information in relation to the inquiry is available from the JSCFADT’s website.

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The legislative package consists of the Cyber Security Bill 2024, the Security of Critical Infrastructure and Other Legislation Amendment (Enhanced Response and Prevention) Bill 2024 and the Intelligence Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Cyber Security) Bill 2024.

The Cyber Security Legislative Package intends to implement seven initiatives under the 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy, which aims to bring Australia in line with international best practice and to help ensure Australia is on track to become a global leader in cyber security.

The PJCIS received more than 60 submissions and held two public hearings with a range of industry, government and civil society organisations. There was broad support for the bills amongst most contributors to the inquiry, with many having been involved in an extensive consultation process prior to the bills being introduced.

Senator Raff Ciccone, Chair of the PJCIS, said, “The committee recognises that hardening Australia’s cyber resilience and implementing the 2023–2023 Australian Cyber Security Strategy is an urgent priority of the Government and this Parliament.

“In response to matters raised by contributors to the inquiry, the committee has made a total of 12 recommendations, mostly aimed at ensuring the implementation of the package is as effective as possible and subject to ongoing review," Senator Ciccone said.

“Noting the extensive consultation process that the Department of Home Affairs has already conducted — and subject to implementation of the recommendations in this report — the committee supports the urgent passage of the legislative package.”

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

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ECONOMISTS and public health experts will gather in Melbourne today and tomorrow, November 18-19, to discuss how commercial factors affect Australia's collective health, and how to balance these priorities.

Hosted at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre by the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) and VicHealth, the inaugural Commerce, Economy, Trade, and Public Health Conference represents an important gathering for advancing economic and public health collaboration.

It brings together economists, and experts from trade, commerce and public health, to explore how the decisions that businesses make – from local to major corporations – can significantly influence lives, health, and the planet.

On the agenda are topics like the illicit tobacco trade and whether Australia should follow Ireland’s lead and put cancer-warning labels on alcohol. The conference program and abstracts are available here.

“This is an opportunity to ask – how are the rules of commerce and trade, and economic drivers, impacting how we live and how healthy we are?” PHAA CEO, adjunct professor Terry Slevin said.

“Junk food and alcohol marketing, the proliferation of gambling, and unequal access to medicines around the globe are the obvious examples of how commerce, economy and trade shape the broader conditions that affect our health.

“But behind the influences of those business sectors are multi-lateral and bilateral trade agreements, tariffs, and a multitude of regulations and drivers that we need to better understand – and where necessary, seek to influence.

“This is an important moment to consider how to balance financial and economic objectives with public health.”

VicHealth’s executive manager  for Health Promotion Systems, Michelle Murray, said, “VicHealth is proud to work alongside PHAA on this inaugural event. It is a valuable opportunity to share insights, enabling a deeper understanding of the impact corporations have on our collective health and wellbeing.”

The conference is being held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Naarm/Melbourne. It will include in-person and online attendance and feature a mix of keynote speakers and panel discussions.

phaa.net.au  

www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/about/what-we-do

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THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) will hear from a range of entities this coming Friday, November 15, as part of its inquiry into the use and governance of artificial intelligence systems by public sector entities.

Chair of the JCPAA, Linda Burney MP, said, "It is critical that overarching frameworks are in place to support public sector entities while they consider how they may best use emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

"Our inquiry has so far received submissions from a range of entities describing their current and planned use of these technologies. The committee looks forward to speaking with key entities and policy owners to determine how whole-of-government frameworks are operating and whether improvements need to be made.’

Hearing program

Friday 15 November 2024
Committee Room 1R3
Parliament House

9am - Policy roundtable

Department of Finance
Attorney-General’s Department
Department of Home Affairs
Australian Signals Directorate
Australian National Audit Office             

11am - AI in Government Taskforce roundtable

Department of Industry, Science and Resources
Digital Transformation Agency
Australian National Audit Office

12pm - Commonwealth Ombudsman

12.45pm - Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

1.30pm - Close

Further details of the inquiry – including the submissions received and public hearings – are available on the inquiry website.

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