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Committee to hear from the Department of Health and Aged Care

THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport will hear from the Department of Health and Aged Care as part of its inquiry into local government sustainability today, July 4.

Committee Chair, Luke Gosling OAM, MP, said, "Local governments play a vital role in providing a range of public health services across their communities. The hearing will provide an opportunity for the committee to hear about the roles of the Australian, state and territory, and local governments in managing our health system, with a particular focus on the financial support provided to local governments that are delivering essential health services.

"Increasing rates of chronic disease, an ageing population, and greater reliance on mental health services are key health system challenges across Australia. Our local governments are facing increasing demands to ensure community access to primary care, aged care, and mental health services, amidst challenges attracting and retaining a skilled health workforce in regional, rural, and remote areas," Mr Gosling said.

"Many local governments report increased responsibility and financial pressure arising from changing funding models and reforms by higher levels of government, particularly in the aged care sector. Service gaps around essential mental health services in regional, rural and remote areas are a growing concern, with many councils providing financial support to ensure community access to these vital services.

"The committee is keen to hear from the Australian Government about the health funding, program and regulatory framework in the context of local government health service delivery," Mr Gosling said.

The hearing also provides an opportunity to gather evidence concerning current and future health workforce skills, attraction, and retention challenges and the Australian Government’s role in securing access to a local government health workforce.

Public hearing details

Canberra, Australian Parliament House

Date:      Thursday, 4 July 2024

Venue:   Committee Room 1R3

Time:     11.05am to 12pm (AEST)

The committee will hold further public hearings during 2024. Further information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and how to contribute, is available on the committee’s website.

 

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Life saving domestic violence service ‘one sickie away’ from closing says Public Service Association

A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE service which saves hundreds of women’s lives a year is one sick day away from closing, according to the union which represents workers at the service.

The Mt Druitt Family Violence Service provides ‘first contact’ services to women who have just fled violent partners but is so short staffed it might have to close its doors without urgent action.

The unique facility, which has been operating since 2006, provides the most frontline assistance to women who have literally just walked out of violent relationships, like tinned food, feminine hygiene products and the use of a phone so they can arrange to stay at a friend’s place.

The service should have seven case workers, they currently have two, with one trainee. 

Only weeks ago a media report found Mt Druitt was the most murderous postcode in Sydney. 

Pregnant mother of four, Kirralee Paepaerei, was stabbed to death in 2018 by a former boyfriend, as was 22-year-old Ruth Mataafa in 2020. Likewise came Sarah Brown, who also left behind four kids when she was stabbed to death in 2018. In July last year Christine Rakic was beaten to death by her former husband.

Former Secretary of the Department of Communities and Justice, Michael Coutts-Trotter, held up the service as the “gold standard” for family violence support provision in 2023 and a model which should be emulated throughout NSW.

The staffing crisis at the service comes after reports the Federal Labor Government’s 2022 Budget pledge to hire another 500 domestic violence workers has stalled.

Women who walk into the service have literally just walked out of the most horrifically violent situations, said Stewart Little the general secretary of the Public Service Association.

“Today a woman who’s just walked out on a violent partner will walk through the door of the Mt Druitt Family Violence Service to use a phone to find a friend’s couch to sleep on, get some tinned food, soap and tampons,” Mr Little said.

“The next day the service will assist with referrals to police, housing and health services, often women will have little ID as they’ve left in a hurry so the service will go to the bank with them so they can access their own money.

“They also help women navigate the family law court system, help them get escaping family violence grants, as well as looking after their immediate basic needs like food, food vouchers, and even clothing because they’ll often leave a violent partner with just the shirt on their back, and their kids under their arms.

“The Mt Druitt Family Violence Service has helped women escaping violence for 18 years, they’ve saved hundreds and hundreds of lives.

“This service is at the front line of helping women escape being punched, bashed or killed in their homes, I’m sorry to use that language but it’s the brutal reality,” Mr Little said.

“They are one sick day away from closure, if one of the few staff that are there had a sick child to look after, or broke an ankle, that would be it, they would have to shut their doors.

“Already when staff have been sick we’ve seen the service have to shut its doors temporarily.

“This service has saved hundreds of lives since it opened, just stop and think about that for a second, this service literally stops women being killed in their own homes, and it might soon close.

“The issue is the Mt Druitt Family Violence Service gets their staff from the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) from the pool of child protection caseworkers.

“But the DCJ are so short staffed they can’t release any child protection caseworkers to work for the service, so the potential closure of this service is driven by the chronic shortage of child protection caseworkers.

“I have met with Minister Harrison and sought urgent funding for these critical services but have met with nothing but blank stares. Frankly I’m not sure the Minister is even aware of the services in her portfolio.

“When you read in the paper this service has closed, don’t say you weren’t warned,” Mr Little said.

 

KEY FACTS: Mt Druitt Family Violence Service

The service is unique as it’s the only service which works with women still in violent relationships, accepts male victims as clients, works with family violence (elder abuse etc), and works with young people 16 years and over. 

The Mt Druitt Family Violence Service has recently been renamed the The Western Sydney Nepean Blue Mountains Domestic Violence Service and had its coverage significantly expanded without any rise in staff members.

The service is funded by Community Services and works in partnership with NSW Health, Police, Corrective Services and Housing. It is the last government-run family violence service. Similar services throughout the state have been outsourced to community organisations.

 

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Diabetes in Australia in 2024 - Parliamentary Enquiry reports

HAVING COMPLETED a year-long inquiry that generated almost 500 written submissions, the House Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport today tabled an important report on the state of diabetes mellitus in Australia.

Committee Chair, Mike Freelander MP said, "In Australia, approximately 1.5 million people – some five percent of the population – are known to live with a form of diabetes. In addition, it is expected that the number of Australians diagnosed with the condition will continue to rise. The nation faces what has throughout the inquiry been referred to as a diabetes epidemic."

According to Dr Freelander, the fundamental aim of the committee’s report was to improve health outcomes for Australians affected by all forms of diabetes. By placing particular emphasis on prevention, the committee is also seeking to raise awareness of major risk factors associated with the disease, such as obesity.

"Throughout the inquiry, the committee heard about ways the Australian Government can improve access to new diabetes technology and life-saving medications for people living with different forms of diabetes," Dr Freeelander said.

"There are also many ways that we can support Australians to prevent, delay the onset of and better manage this condition. This report seeks to improve health outcomes for patients living with all forms of diabetes and obesity, and reduce the burden of chronic disease on Australia’s health care system."

The committee made 23 recommendations aimed at strengthening the government’s response to diabetes and obesity.

In addition to the written submissions received, the committee held 15 days of public hearings attended by individuals, organisations and government bodies all of whom provided valuable input for the inquiry. The committee has expressed "its sincere thanks to all those who provided written submissions or appeared before a hearing".

The committee said it was "particularly appreciative of the time taken by the many people who, despite being personally impacted by diabetes, went to considerable effort to contribute to the inquiry".

The report and further information about the committee can be found on its website.

 

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Treaties Committee recommends ratification of Australia-US space launches

THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) has tabled a report recommending the ratification of the following treaty action for Australia-US space 

The treaty action is defined in the Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United States of America on Technology Safeguards Associated with United States Participation in Space Launches from Australia.

Committee Chair Josh Wilson MP said, “This agreement aligns with Australia’s national interests and benefits the development of the Australian Space industry, by growing a more skilled workforce in the space sector and providing increased opportunities for Australian companies. The increase in US investment and activity will also benefit the Australian economy.”

“The agreement reflects Australia’s commitment to transforming and growing our space sector, as well as further developing our strong bilateral relationship with the US," Mr Wilson said.

The Agreement aims to protect US technology launched in Australia and ensure that it remains under US control. It provides a legal and technical framework that protects US launch vehicles, spacecraft, related equipment, and technical data. This would enable US companies, government organisations and universities to undertake commercial space launch activities in Australia. 

The committee said it supported ratification and recommended that binding treaty action be taken for this agreement.

The report can be found on the committee website, along with further information on the inquiry.

 

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Committee to inquire into Australia's global efforts to abolish the death penalty

THE Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, through the Human Rights Subcommittee (the Subcommittee), has commenced an inquiry into Australia's efforts to advocate for the worldwide abolition of the death penalty.

The inquiry was referred by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong on June 27, 2024 with specific Terms of Reference.

Chair of the Subcommittee, Maria Vamvakinou said, “there is no place for the death penalty in the modern world. State executions are cruel and are often associated with miscarriages of justice; all too often, innocent people are put to death and around the world, minorities and those with disabilities are disproportionately sentenced to death.”

The Subcommittee will look also into progress against the recommendations in the 2017 Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade report: A world without the death penalty: Australia's Advocacy for the Abolition of the Death Penalty.

Submissions from interested individuals and organisations addressing the terms of reference for this inquiry are invited by August 2, 2024. The preferred method of receiving submissions is by electronic format lodged online using a My Parliament account.

Further information about the committee’s inquiry is available on the committee’s website.

 

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CFMEU 'divorce law' welcomed by Manufacturing Division

THE Manufacturing Division of the CFMEU has welcomed the Australian Parliament’s passage of a new law which provides our members a vote on the future of their union.

This key legislation, passed by the Senate this afternoon, empowers members to decide if their union, the Manufacturing Division, stays amalgamated with or withdraws from the CFMEU.

The Manufacturing Division will now act to facilitate proceedings providing members with a vote by secret ballot conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission.

National secretary Michael O’Connor expressed the Manufacturing Division’s appreciation to Senator Jacquie Lambie, Minister Tony Burke and other supportive Parliamentarians.

“We are pleased that the parliament has passed this crucial legislation,” Mr O’Connor said,

“We thank Senator Lambie, Minister Burke and all of the Members of Parliament who did the right thing by our members.”

A notable and disappointing absence from the large parliamentary consensus which supported the legislation was the Australian Greens.

“The Greens oddly seem to think they are better placed than our members to determine what is best for them, their families and their communities,” Mr O'Connor said.

The Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Withdrawal from Amalgamation) Bill 2024 is largely modelled on an amendment moved by Senator Lambie earlier this year.

The bill was introduced and passed the House of Representatives last week and passed the Senate this afternoon with bi-partisan support.

The Manufacturing Division has sought to put the question of whether to withdraw from the CFMEU to its members for some years but was frustrated by the Construction Division’s opposition.

Manufacturing Division members work in vital industries in the economy including floor covering, cabinetry, joinery, glass and glazing, installation and shopfitting, forestry, timber and wood products, pulp and paper, furniture, textile clothing and footwear, and building products and materials manufacturing.

“Our members are now on a pathway to a more active and respected role in the labour movement which they can achieve by formally dissociating themselves with the CFMEU and its ever-deteriorating reputation,” Mr  O’Connor said.

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Live music inquiry public hearings

THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts is holding a second round of public hearings this week for its inquiry into the challenges and opportunities within the Australian live music industry.

This week the committee will again be speaking with industry stakeholders, including promoters, production specialists, events infrastructure developers, and community organisations. It will also host three case study roundtables on the Cobargo Folk Festival, the Tamworth Country Music Festival and the Port Fairy Folk Festival.

Committee Chair, Brian Mitchell MP, said, "The committee looks forward to delving deeper into the operational and regulatory challenges that are facing live music event operators.

"The committee is equally looking forward to discussing how the Cobargo, Tamworth and Port Fairy festivals, all longstanding events, are facing these challenges, and what benefits they bring to their local communities and economies," Mr Mitchell said.

Details of the public hearings are below, with the full programs and terms of reference available on the inquiry webpage.

More information about the committee, including membership, may be found on the Committee’s website.

Public hearing details

Date: Wednesday, 3 July 2024
Time: 12.45pm – 1.30pm
Location: Committee Room 1R6, Parliament House, Canberra

Date: Friday, 5 July 2024
Time: 9am – 3.10pm
Location: Committee Room 1R2, Parliament House, Canberra

These hearings will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

 

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Public Works reports on proposed ADFA accommodation and five other works

THE Chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, Graham Perrett MP, presented the fifth Public Works Committee Report of 2024 to the House of Representatives on July 1.

This report considers six proposals referred to the Committee between November 2023 and March 2024 with a combined value of more than $2.1 billion. One of the projects, to demolish and replace living-in accommodation at ADFA, makes up half of the combined value at just over one billion dollars.

The committee’s report noted that the ADFA accommodation was no longer fit for purpose and needed replacement. However, the report recommended that Defence improve the proposal by working with the National Capital Authority to increase the height of each building, install electric vehicle chargers, and consider design changes to reduce operating costs.

Although Defence stated that the re-design would assist in reducing incidents of unacceptable behaviour, the committee expected Defence to improve behaviour through social education and fostering cultural change and not rely on an improved building layout.

This project was referred to the committee at an early design stage and has not yet received National Capital Authority approval. The committee has recommended that Defence always refer any future projects at a design level of 50 percent or greater to prevent major design changes from occurring during the inquiry process.  

Mr Perret MP said, "There is a clear need to provide fit-for-purpose accommodation for ADFA trainees to maintain the capability of the ADF."

Report 5 / 2024 also recommended that the following projects be approved:

  • Parks Australia — Mutitjulu Essential Services project;
  • Department of Veterans’ Affairs — Proposed Fit-out of New Leased Premises at 18 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra;
  • Department of Finance – Proposed Fit-out of New Commonwealth Parliament Offices, Perth, Western Australia;
  • Department of Defence — Albury Wodonga Military Area Redevelopment project;
  • Department of Defence —RAAF Base Wagga Redevelopment Project.

For background information

Committee Secretariat
02 6277 4636
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For more information about this committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

 

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Hearings begin for First Nations economic independence inquiry

THE Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs (JSCATSIA) will hold its opening public hearing today for the inquiry into improving the economic self-determination and opportunities for First Nations Australians.

Indigenous businesses are estimated to contribute more than $16 billion to the Australian economy, employ 116,795 people, and pay $4.2 billion in wages.[1].

The committee is interested in hearing from Indigenous Business Australia and a range of government agencies such as IP Australia, the Treasury and the National Indigenous Australians Agency about the support and opportunities they offer to First Nations Australians for training, employment and business development, as well as matters relating to Intellectual Property, and building the economic and social infrastructure to support economic prosperity in the long term.

CommitteeChair, Mutthi Mutthi and Wamba Wamba woman Senator Jana Stewart, said, "Blak-owned businesses are creating long-term economic prosperity in their communities. It is critical that we examine the opportunities and barriers to ensuring First Nations knowledge can be protected, and Blak businesses can thrive."

Further information on the inquiry, including the program for the public hearing at Parliament House on Friday June 28, is available on the committee’s website.

Public hearing details

Date: Friday, 28 June 2024
Time: 9am – 4pm (AEST)
Venue: Committee Room 1R5, Parliament House         

The hearing will be broadcast live and will be accessible from the Parliament House website.

 

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Audit Committee public hearing: Defence Major Projects Report – exploring ‘military off-the-shelf’ and scope changes

THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) will be holding a second public hearing on Friday, June 28, for its inquiry into the 2022–23 Defence Major Projects Report (MPR).

“The MPR is an important accountability mechanism and the discipline of the MPR over many years has had a positive impact on Defence’s internal management of major projects,” Committee Chair Julian Hill MP said.

“More evidence is needed regarding how Defence assesses military off-the-shelf options during procurement processes. For decades, previous reviews of Defence procurement have insisted that a military off-the-shelf option must be considered and compared to ‘bespoke’ options in new capability procurement.

“The committee also wants to understand how changes to scope are decided after a project is underway as variations to scope can be a key reason for delays and cost escalations. How are capability and delivery managers engaged in the context of scope changes and who ultimately decides? It’s important that industry realities and cost and schedule impacts are fully considered when a decision is made to change the scope of a new capability after initial procurement.”

The details are as follows:

Date: Friday, June 28, 2024

Time: 3pm – 5pm (AEST)

Venue: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House         

The hearing will be broadcast live and will be accessible from the Parliament House website.

Details on the inquiry—including the terms of reference and submissions received—are available on the Committee website.

 

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Charging forward with Australia’s transition to electric vehicles

THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water will hold its first public hearing in Canberra tomorrow for its inquiry into the transition to electric vehicles (EVs).

Committee Chair, Tony Zappia MP, said, "The committee is looking forward to hearing evidence from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) alongside the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (DITRDCA) to find out what work has been done to date and what the future needs might be to support Australia’s transition to electric vehicles.

"The committee will also hear from peak bodies and associations that will provide a customer and industry focus on what Australia’s future needs might be to support the country through the transition to electric vehicles. This is the first of a series of public hearings to be held across Australia," Mr Zappia said.

The program for Friday’s public hearing can be found here.

The committee will conduct further public hearings between July to September 2024. Further information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference, and submissions is available on the committee’s website.

Public hearing details

Date: 28 June 2024
Time: 8.45am – 12.40pm
Location: Committee Room 2R2, Parliament House

Witnesses: Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (DITRDCA), Australia Electric Vehicle Association, National Road Transport Association, Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association, Electric Vehicle Council.

 

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