THE House Standing Committee on Procedure has launched a new inquiry reviewing parliamentary practice and procedure to implement recommendations 10 and 27 of the Set the standard report by Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins.

These recommendations related to eliminating sexist, exclusionary or discriminatory language, behaviour and practices in the chamber and improving safety and respect, as well as looking at the sitting calendar and order of business.

"The Jenkins review recommended that the House consider whether there were opportunities to improve both the standing orders and any unwritten conventions in the Chamber," committee chair Shayne Neumann said. "The committee is interested in feedback and is now welcoming submissions to the inquiry."

However, matters such as codes of conduct and behaviour outside the Chamber are covered by other recommendations and will not be considered as part of this inquiry.

"The focus of our inquiry is on the standing orders and practices and procedures in the Chamber — we are not looking at the development of codes of conduct, for example," Mr Neumann said. "A joint select committee has been established to consider codes of conduct."

To read the full terms of reference or make a submission, visit the inquiry page.

ends

ACCORDING to Master Builders Australia, it is unsurprising that the Skills Priority List, published this week, has doubled in 12 months, leading to around a third of all Australian occupations facing critical shortages.

“We identified in late 2021 that the pressure of material shortages in the building and construction industry was being taken over by skill shortages, with the pressure steadily increasing throughout 2022," Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn said.

"Skill shortages result in delays in building activity which impacts capacity to occupy new homes, schools, and offices or use new roads and railways.  It also puts a massive handbrake on economic activity.

“Master Builders has been calling on the Federal Government to not only speed up skilled migration pathways but also expand the skills list and provide greater flexibility.  The new Skills Priority List reinforces our calls. We acknowledge that the Federal Government is working on migration solutions.

“Skill shortages can also be resolved through greater completion of apprenticeships.  The industry has appreciated ongoing government support to encourage more people into trade apprenticeships, but we now need an equal focus on completion rates.  The average current completion rate for trade apprentices, of just over 50 per cent, is not acceptable given the environment," Ms Wawn said..

Building and construction roles added to the list in 2022 include:
•    Building inspector
•    Construction estimator
•    Crane, hoist or lift operator
•    Rigger
•    Scaffolder
•    Steel Fixer 

Building and construction roles that continue to be on the list include:
•    Construction project manager
•    Surveyor 
•    Engineer
•    Bricklayer
•    Stonemason
•    Carpenter and joiners
•    Painting trade worker 
•    Tilers (roof, wall, floor)
•    Plumber
•    Electrician.

www.masterbuilders.com.au

ends

THE PROVISIONS of the National Anti-Corruption Commission Bill 2022 and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2022 will be the focus of an inquiry by the newly established National Anti-Corruption Commission Legislation Committee.

Committee Chair, Senator Linda White said, "The inquiry is a way for individuals, organisations and interest groups to share their views on the proposed National Anti-Corruption Commission."

The Committee is calling for submissions commenting on the provisions of the bills and encourages that submissions be concise. The preferred method of receiving submissions is by electronic format lodged online using a My Parliament account.

Submissions close on Friday October 14, 2022.

Public hearings are planned on October 18, 19, 20 and 21 in Canberra with an expected option for remote participation by witnesses.

The Deputy Chair, Dr Helen Haines MP said, "While public hearings will be held in Canberra, the Committee intends to hear from witnesses from around Australia."

Submitters should indicate in their submission if they wanted to give evidence at a public hearing. The Committee’s website will detail any updates or other details regarding general arrangements for public hearings.

The Committee is due to report on or before November 10, 2022.

Further information about the Committee, including membership and details on how to lodge a submission, are available at the Committee’s website:  www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/National_Anti-Corruption_Commission_Legislation.

ends

A NEW Parliamentary inquiry will examine Commonwealth Procurement, focusing on five recent reviews of procurement practices at Commonwealth agencies.

The inquiry, to be conducted by the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) will examine ways to improve transparency, efficiency, and value for money in Commonwealth procurement.   

The Chair of the JCPAA, Julian Hill MP said, “in recent years the Australian National Audit Office has too often found that Commonwealth agencies have failed to follow both the letter and the spirit of the Commonwealth Procurement Rules. The Procurement Rules are to ensure value for money as well as encourage competition, efficiency and accountability in the expenditure of public money.

“There appears a concerning pattern of agencies cutting corners or interpreting the rules to suit themselves and make life easier for themselves, rather than apply the Rules and let more people and firms bid for Commonwealth work. Maintaining efficient, effective, economical and ethical procurement practices will always be a challenge for governments”, Mr Hill said.

"And the Committee hopes to identify how Commonwealth procurement practices can be improved to deliver better value for money for Australian taxpayers.”

The five Auditor-General Reports that will form the starting point for the Committee’s inquiry are:

• No. 6 (2021-22) Management of the Civil Maritime Surveillance Services Contract
• No. 15 (2021-22) Department of Defence’s Procurement of Six Evolved Cape Class Patrol Boats
• No. 30 (2021-22) Procurement of the National Capital Authority
• No. 42 (2021-22) Procurement of Delivery Partners for the Entrepreneurs’ Programme
• No. 5 (2022-23) Digital Transformation Agency’s Procurement of ICT Related Services

The Committee has invited submissions to the inquiry addressing the terms of reference to be received by Friday, November 11, 2022. Details of the inquiry – including the terms of reference and public hearings – will be made available on the Committee website.

ends