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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AS PART of its inquiry into nuclear power generation in Australia, the House of Representatives Select Committee on Nuclear Energy will conduct multiple public hearings and site visits in Queensland from November 12 to 15.

The committee will visit Biloela, Nanango and Brisbane. Committee Chair, Dan Repacholi MP, the Federal Member for Hunter, said, “The committee has prioritised visiting towns that have been earmarked for potential nuclear plants so that we have a firsthand understanding of the communities that may be impacted.

“The future of Australia’s energy supply is of critical, national significance. We are eager to hear from a range of stakeholders about the opportunities, logistics and impacts of potentially deploying nuclear power in Australia.”

The hearings can be accessed online.

The committee will be holding further public hearings in Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales and Western Australia in December 2024. 

Programs for all hearings and further information about the inquiry,  including the inquiry terms of reference are available on the committee’s website.

The Select Committee on Nuclear Energy is seeking submissions by Friday, November 15.

Public hearing details

Date: Wednesday 13 November 2024
Time: 8:30am – 12:15pm (AEST) (approximately)
Location: Biloela ANZAC Memorial Club, 94 Callide St, Biloela QLD.

Date: Thursday, 14 November 2024
Time: 8:30am –12:15pm (AEST) (approximately)
Location: Nanango Services Club, 24-26 Henry St, Nanango QLD.

Date: Friday 15 November 2024
Time: 8am – 2:45pm (AEST) (approximately)
Location: Hotel Grand Chancellor Brisbane, 23 Leichardt St, Spring Hill QLD.

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OVER THE NEXT two days, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Milton Dick MP is in Central Queensland with the Leader of the Nationals, David Littleproud MP, as part of the Parliament in Schools program.

Students will learn about federation, democracy and the Australian Parliament, as well as hear first-hand from the Speaker and their local member on what a typical day looks like in their electorate and when they are in Parliament House for sitting weeks.

With the Leader of the Nationals, the Speaker will visit:

• Longreach State High School, Longreach;
• Muttaburra State School, Muttaburra;
• Longreach School of Distance Education, Longreach;
• Longreach State School, Longreach (including Ilfracombe State School, Isisford State School and Stonehenge State School who will attend on the day); and
• Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School, Longreach.

“Since I launched this program, I have visited over 135 schools across Australia – from King Island to Far North Queensland to Nullagine, and now to Longreach," Mr Dick said.

“The Parliament in Schools program is an integral part of improving civics education across Australia.

“These students are our future leaders, and it is important that we equip them with the information and tools they need, to go on to be active and engaged citizens.”

About the Parliament in Schools program

Launched in September 2022, the Parliament in Schools program is a bi-partisan initiative to make civics education accessible to students regardless of their location. In collaboration with local federal members, the Speaker is visiting schools across Australia to bring parliament to them.

The program is an extension to well-established PEO onsite, digital and outreach education programs available to schools across Australia.

It also complements the existing PEO online and print resources that are curriculum-aligned, for Australian teachers and students.

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