KEY INDUSTRY players, peak bodies and stakeholder groups will discuss major infrastructure projects and procurement when they appear before the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Transport and Cities at videoconference public hearings on Tuesday, October 5 and Thursday, October 14.

The committee will examine the challenges and opportunities for the construction industry that comes with the Australian Government’s $110 billion commitment to the major infrastructure projects pipeline over the next decade.

Committee Chair, John Alexander OAM MP, said, "While the major infrastructure projects in the pipeline will play an important part in Australia’s economic recovery, the committee recognises that it will also place considerable demands on the construction industry and may exacerbate challenges the industry is already facing, including productivity and skill shortages.

"The key focus of this inquiry is how to improve procurement practices for government-funded infrastructure. Through strategic, effective and efficient procurement practices, governments can: help ensure the delivery of quality projects and value for money; drive important industry changes; and maximise opportunities for Australian businesses."

The public hearings will include panel discussion sessions on key themes. On October 5 selected groups will focus on issues in the construction sector, including driving cultural change. At the October 14 panel session, the committee will explore technology and digital delivery themes with industry groups.

"The committee looks forwards to hearing from these construction and engineering companies, industry peak bodies and stakeholder groups on what is working well in project procurement and delivery, and how the Australian Government can help drive necessary change and grow Australia’s sovereign industry capability," Mr Alexander said.

The terms of reference and submissions received are available on the committee’s website.

Public hearing details

Date: Tuesday, 5 October 2021
Time: 9.15am to 5.30pm
Location: Videoconference

Date: Thursday, 14 October 2021
Time: 9.15am to 5.15pm
Location: Videoconference

Programs for the hearings are available on the Committee’s website.

Due to health and safety concerns relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, this hearing is not currently scheduled to be open for public attendance. Interested members of the public will be able to view proceedings via the live webcast at aph.gov.au/live.

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THE representatives of the Australia-Taiwan Business Council appeared today ahead of two days of public hearings for an Australian parliamentary inquiry looking at the merits of expanding the membership of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

The CPTPP agreement signed in 2018 is a trade bloc of 11 countries that includes Australia and is an export market of 500 million consumers worth nearly $14 trillion.

The parliamentary inquiry will examine the scope for expanding the CPTPP beyond the existing membership of Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Vietnam, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Malaysia and Peru to include new members.

Today’s public hearing is with representatives of the Australia-Taiwan Business Council, Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce in Australia, Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce in Oceania, MelbourneTaiwaneseChamber ofCommerce, Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce Western Australia, Asia Business Council Western Australia, Taiwanese Association of Australia, Melbourne Chapter, Queensland Federation of Taiwanese Associations, former Prime Minister Tony Abbott AC, Export Council of Australia, Standards Australia, DHL Express (Australia), Australia China Business Council, Dr M Shumi Akhtar, Perth USAsia Centre, Customs and Global Law and the Freight and Trade Alliance, and Article Three.

Tomorrow’s public hearing is with Professor Gabriele Suder, and representatives of the Australian Sugar Milling Council, Australian British Chamber of Commerce, Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network, ActionAid, Australian Taiwanese Friendship Association, the Overseas Community Affairs Council, ROC (Taiwan), Australia New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Taipei, Chinese International Economic Cooperation Association Taiwan, Taiwanese Barley Products Industry Association, CPC Corporation Taiwan, and the Bankers Association of the ROC.

Further details about the about the inquiry, including today’s program and the terms of reference, details of past public hearings and roundtable discussions, can be obtained from the Committee’s website.

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THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) will hold a public hearing tomorrow examining the relisting of Hamas’ Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades as part of its larger Review into the relisting of five organisations as terrorist organisations under the Criminal Code.

Hamas’ Izz al-Din al Qassam Brigades are the paramilitary wing of Hamas and have been listed as a terrorist organisation by the Government since 2003. The Committee will hear from experts on Hamas as well as from Government agencies such as the Department of Home Affairs and ASIO.

Chair of the Committee, Senator James Paterson, said evidence presented to the committee by experts would help determine whether the listing of Hamas’ Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades should be widened to include the entirety of Hamas, which is not currently captured.

“The committee has not hesitated in the past to recommend broadening terrorist listings if we believe the evidence supports doing so, for example with Hezbollah. We will carefully consider the case for listing all of Hamas as a terrorist organisation rather than just its paramilitary wing,” Senator Paterson said.

Further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the Committee’s website.

Public Hearing Details

Friday, 1 October 2021
​10am – 1pm (AEST)
​Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra

A program for the hearing can be found here and the hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

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THE Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) are contacting thousands of West Australian taxpayers to offer assistance after they used the services of Jessa Van Stroe (also known as Jessa Layola), who was illegally preparing tax returns.

An order to stop preparing and lodging income tax returns for payment, as she is not and never has been registered with the TPB, was issued to Ms Van Stroe by the Federal Court on August 23, 2021.

Professor Dale Pinto, head of the Taxation Discipline in the Curtin Law School, said, "It is important for anyone who has used the services of unregistered preparers, like Ms Van Stroe, to review their tax returns. Unregistered preparers do not have the necessary skills or expertise to provide tax advice and by using her services these taxpayers have no protection against penalties which could be applied for mistakes Ms Van Stroe may have made."

The TPB is working closely with Curtin University’s Curtin Tax Clinic (CTC), which is offering free tax advice to people impacted by Ms Van Stroe. 

Co-Founders of CTC, Annette Morgan and Donovan Castelyn, said, "CTC is happy to provide free assistance in situations like this as it aims to assist unrepresented taxpayers in meeting or complying with their tax affairs. In return the experiential learning opportunities for students who work under the supervision of experienced tax practitioners in these situations are most valuable."

Only tax agents registered with the TPB can legally charge a fee to lodge income tax returns – find a registered tax agent using the TPB register.

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) said anyone who has used her services should urgently review their income tax returns and ensure that the details provided to the ATO are correct and substantiated. This can be done by logging into your MyGov account or by contacting the ATO on 13 28 61.

"To get help help reviewing your tax return it is recommended that you seek independent advice from a registered tax agent," the ATO said.

Anyone who has used Ms Van Stroe's services that needs help understanding their tax affairs can contact CTC by phone on (08) 9266 2575 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

About the Tax Practitioners Board

The TPB regulates tax practitioners in order to protect consumers. The TPB aims to assure the community that tax practitioners meet appropriate standards of professional and ethical conduct. Twitter_@TPB_gov_au, LinkedIn and Facebook.

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