THE Joint Standing Committee on Trade and Investment Growth has launched an inquiry into the understanding and utilisation of the benefits available to Australian industry and communities under free trade agreements.

The inquiry will focus on the level of awareness and uptake of the benefits available under Australia’s free trade agreements, including the promotion of the benefits of trade, the difficulties faced in accessing the benefits of trade agreements, and how the utilisation of trade agreements is measured.

It will also examine the extent to which regional, diaspora and First Nations communities take advantage of trade opportunities, including through free trade agreements, and how these communities can be better engaged to build Australia’s trade.

Committee Chair, Steve Georganas MP, said, “International trade offers significant economic and social benefits to Australian industry and communities. The committee wants to hear from the exporters, small business, peak bodies, industry associations, and diaspora and First Nations communities to better understand if the benefits offered by participation in international trade are being maximised and how the utilisation of Australia’s free trade agreements could be improved.”

The committee is seeking submissions from interested parties on the inquiry’s terms of reference by Friday, June 21, 2024..

Further information about the inquiry, including published submissions and hearing transcripts, will be available on the inquiry webpage.

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, through the Foreign Affairs and Aid Subcommittee (the committee), has commenced an inquiry into Australia’s response to the priorities of Pacific Island countries and the Pacific region.

The inquiry was referred by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Penny Wong with the attached terms of reference.

Chair of the Foreign Affairs and Aid Subcommittee, Josh Burns MP, said, “We look forward to hearing a range of stakeholder views on the key priorities for Pacific Island countries and the Pacific, including their concerns and aspirations for economic, environmental and social development in the region.”

The committee is also interested in hearing about the effectiveness of Australia’s aid programs in the Pacific and opportunities to strengthen linkages and partnerships, and climate change mitigation and adaptation responses in the Pacific.

“During the inquiry, it will be important to consider Australia’s engagement in the Pacific and the alignment of initiatives and policies with the key priorities of Pacific Island nations.”

Submissions from interested individuals and organisations addressing the terms of reference to this inquiry are invited by Friday, June 28, 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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THE Trade Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will hold a public hearing today at Parliament House for its inquiry into Australia’s tourism and international education sectors.

The subcommittee will hear evidence from the National Capital Authority and the ACT government.

Chair of the Trade Subcommittee, Senator Deborah O’Neill said, "The subcommittee is excited to learn how the education and tourism sectors in the Australian Capital Territory were impacted and have recovered from Covid-19, and hear what opportunities witnesses have identified to further strengthen each sector."

Further information about the inquiry is available on the inquiry webpage.

Public hearing details

Canberra, ACT

Date: Wednesday, 15 May 2024
Venue: Committee Room 2S1, Parliament House, Canberra
Time: 9:15am – 10:30am (AEST)

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport is commencing public hearings for its inquiry into local government sustainability.

Exploring government policy and program funding to support local government sustainability will be the focus of the opening hearing on May 16, with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.

Committee Chair, Luke Gosling MP, said, "Local governments are facing a number of increasing challenges including the attraction and retention of a skilled workforce, changing service delivery requirements including infrastructure and development, and climate change impacts all within the context of an inflationary environment. The hearing provides an opportunity to gain a clearer understanding of policy and program funding frameworks across the three tiers of government in supporting local government financial sustainability."

Public hearing details

Canberra, Australian Parliament House

Date:      Thursday, 16 May 2024
Venue:   Committee Room 1R3
Time:     11:10am – 12pm (AEST)

The committee will hold further public hearings and interested parties are encouraged to make a written submission to this inquiry by May 31, 2024. Further information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and how to contribute, is available on the committee’s website.

The public can attend the hearing and a live audio stream will also be available on the APH website.

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) will hold a public hearing for its inquiry into 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'.

The treaty aligns with Australia’s national interest to develop a space launch sector capable of meeting the growing demands for space launch. Australia has a unique geographical location which makes it strategically ideal for growing and commercialising the space launch sector. Currently, Australia exports the majority of its satellites to the US for launch by US companies.

This new agreement will allow US companies, universities, and government organisations to undertake space launching activities here in Australia, including the launch of Australian satellites on US launch vehicles. By providing legal and technical frameworks, this agreement guarantees the protection of US space technology launched from Australia. The agreement is consistent with Australia’s non-proliferation goals embodied in the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) Guidelines.

Committee Chair Josh Wilson MP said, “With the global space sector forecast to grow rapidly, this agreement will open new commercial opportunities for Australia’s space launch programs. The agreement will contribute to building a robust and sustainable space launch sector here in Australia, making us more attractive as a global launching hub.”

“Australia’s domestic policies and regulations have created an open marketplace that will allow countries from around the world to launch from Australia. By providing a reliable and responsible foundation for the United States to access space, Australia will strengthen an already well-established relationship, and will seek to leverage expanded launch activities into a growing Australian space sector.”

The program and more details about the inquiry are available on the committee’s website. The hearing can be accessed online.

Public hearing details

Date: Monday 13 May 2024
Time: 11:15 am approximately
Location: Committee Room 1R6

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Trade and Investment Growth has released its final report into the Australian Government’s approach to negotiating trade and investment agreements, which examined how Australia can strengthen its approach to trade negotiations.

Australia’s trade and investment agreements reduce barriers to trade for Australian goods, services, and investment, creating well paid and secure jobs, improving Australia's economic resilience, and contributing to economic growth and increased living standards.

Throughout the inquiry the committee heard about the immense benefits of trade to Australia, as well as the need to ensure that agreements are genuinely in the national interest.

Committee Chair Steve Georganas MP, said, “Trade makes a significant contribution to Australia’s prosperity and our approach to negotiating trade and investment agreements has served us well. However, it’s evident to the committee that more robust processes to identify the impact of agreements on Australian jobs and industries would be highly valuable.

"We must continue to adapt and improve our approach to ensure that our participation in international trade is of the greatest benefit to all Australians.”

The committee’s report makes eight recommendations to strengthen Australia’s approach to negotiating trade and investment agreements including by:

• Undertaking independent modelling and analysis of each proposed or under review agreement.
• Establishing a consistent approach to evaluating agreements including conducting broader assessment of economic, social, and environmental impacts.
• Seeking to include human rights, labour, and environmental chapters in agreements, that where appropriate contain specific references to relevant international standards.
• Seeking to not include provisions in agreements that waive labour market and skills testing requirements or investor state dispute settlement provisions.
• Pursuing the inclusion of provisions in agreements that protect and promote First Nations intellectual property.
• Establishing a legislative framework to guide some elements of the negotiation of trade and investment agreements.

The committee’s final report builds on its interim report published on February 6, 2024, that made five recommendations focussed on improving transparency, accountability, and oversight in the process for negotiating Australia’s trade and investment agreements.

Throughout the inquiry, the committee held eight public hearings in Canberra, Melbourne and virtually, in addition to receiving 54 written submissions from businesses, unions, industry associations, government agencies, community groups and individuals.                                 

The committee thanked those who had taken part in the inquiry by providing written submissions and giving evidence at public hearings.

The committee’s final report can be found on the inquiry webpage.

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THE Trade Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will hold a public hearing today in Launceston for its inquiry into Australia’s tourism and international education sectors.

The subcommittee will hear evidence from the international education sector, including universities and student representatives. The subcommittee will also hear from regional tourism and businesses organisations, the aviation industry, tourism operators, and representatives from the State Government.

Chair of the Trade Subcommittee, Senator Deborah O’Neill said, "The subcommittee is excited to learn how the education and tourism sectors in regional Tasmania were impacted and have recovered from COVID-19, and hear what opportunities witnesses have identified to further strengthen each sector."

Further information about the inquiry and program (here), are available on the inquiry webpage.

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Public hearings details

Launceston, Tasmania

Date: Wednesday, 1 May 2024
Venue: Rooms 4 & 5, Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston, 29 Cameron St, Launceston, TAS
Time: 9:00am – 5:15pm (AEST)

THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) will be holding public hearings today, April 24, for its inquiries into Defence major projects, the Commonwealth fianncial statements and information technology issues including the Federal Government's failed visa privatisation process.

Specificall, the hearings cover the 2022–23 Defence Major Projects Report (first hearing). the Commonwealth Financial Statements 2022–23 (second hearing) and the failed visa privatisation process and the implementation of other public sector IT procurements and projects (continuing).

The details are:

Date:             Wednesday, 24 April 2024
Time:             8.45am – 5pm (AEST)
Venue:           Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House and by videoconference

Program:

Inquiry into the Defence Major Projects Report 2022–23
8.45am           Department of Defence
                            Australian National Audit Office

Inquiry into the failed visa privatisation process and implementation of other public sector IT procurements and projects
10.30am         Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
                             Australian National Audit Office
                             Workforce Australia IT System (Digital Employment Services Platform) and Apprenticeships Data Management System

11.15am         Department of Finance
                             Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority
                             Australian National Audit Office
                             Parliamentary Expenses Management System (PEMS)

12.30pm         Department of Finance
                             Digital Transformation Agency
                             Review and approval processes for IT systems

Inquiry into Commonwealth Financial Statements 2022–23
3.30pm           Department of Health and Aged Care
                             Australian National Audit Office
                             Potential legislative breaches relating to various benefits and services and significant finding regarding legislative compliance and legal advice

4pm           Department of Social Services
                             Australian National Audit Office
                             Late disclosure of information on income apportionment

4.30pm           Australian Taxation Office
                             Australian National Audit Office
                             IT Change Management policies and practices and other unresolved findings relating to pursuing debt and re-raises

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

Details on the inquiries – including the terms of reference and submissions received – are available on the Committee website.

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