The committee wants to better understand from the Department of Education how local government can be supported to help deliver early childhood education across their communities, especially when private providers are not present.

In 2023-24, the Australian Government provided nearly $383 million in local government funding for a range of early childhood education and care infrastructure. Councils that are service providers of childcare may apply to the Department for initiatives involving early childhood education infrastructure, integrated child and family hubs, and school-community co-location projects.

The committee will also hear from the National Indigenous Australians Agency to discuss its role distributing Commonwealth local government funding of $123 million in 2023-24.

Committee Chair, Fiona Phillips, said, “The committee is keen to hear from the Department of Education about whether current funding arrangements are meeting the needs of local governments and their communities. It also wants to explore how funding can better support councils delivering early childhood education services, particularly in regional and rural communities.

“Regarding the National Indigenous Australians Agency, the committee looks forward to hearing how local governments are partners or delivery organisations, particularly for projects that support First Nations communities, Closing the Gap priorities, and community infrastructure," she said.

Further information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and how to contribute, is available on the committee’s website.

Public hearing

Date: Thursday, 20 August 2026
Time: 11am – 12.30pm
Location: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra

A program for the public hearing is available on the inquiry website. A live broadcast of the hearing will also be available on the APH website.

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) held public hearings on Monday (August 17) as part of its inquiries into four proposed agreements:

• Agreement between the Government of Australia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Support and Procurement Organisation (NSPO) on Acquisition and Support Cooperation;
• Agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Government of Australia relating to Air Services;
• Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of Kiribati relating to Air Services;
• Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Republic of Nauru relating to Air Services.

The NSPO Agreement is designed to allow Australia access to programs and services offered by the NSPO and NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). The committee will investigate whether this access to capability acquisition, logistics and system support represents value for money. The committee will also inquire into whether the NSPO Agreement creates opportunities for Australian defence industry.

Committee Chair, Lisa Chesters MP, said, “Ensuring the Australian Defence Force has the capability it needs in the modern military environment is vital. Strengthening Australia’s domestic defence industry is similarly crucial. The committee will investigate whether the NSPO Agreement benefits Australia’s defence industry and builds Australian defence capability in a cost-effective way.”

The Air Services Agreements aim to provide a legal framework for air services between Australia and Cambodia, Kiribati, and Naoero (formerly known as Nauru) respectively. At the public hearing the committee will inquire into the agreements’ provisions on areas such as safety, security, customs and competition law. The committee will investigate how the proposed agreements could strengthen Australia’s relationships with Cambodia, Kiribati and Nauru and expand opportunities for tourism and export industries.

Ms Chesters said, “It is vital for Australia to remain connected and integrated with our region. It is equally important to ensure that we do not compromise our aviation standards. The committee will examine these Air Services Agreements and ensure they are fit for purpose.”

The committee will hear evidence from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts, the Department of Defence, the Australian Defence Force and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Public hearing details

Date: Monday, 17 August 2026
Time: 10:30am to 1:00pm AEST (approximately). The NATO public hearing was to be held from 10.30am and the three Air Services treaties would be discussed in a combined hearing from 11.15am.

Location: Committee Room 2S1, Parliament House Canberra

The hearing was broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

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TODAY, Tony Zappia MP, Chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works presented the Public Works Committee’s fifth report of 2026 to the House of Representatives.

Report 5/2026 – Referrals made in March 2026 considers two proposed major works:

• Australian Federal Police — Proposed Fitout of Leased Premises, 949 Ann Street, Brisbane;
• Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation—Upgrade and Fitout of Building 302 Research Way, Clayton, Victoria.

The Australian Federal Police is seeking approval from the Parliament to fit-out their leased premises at 949 Ann St, which will be the site of their Northern Command, consolidating its two Brisbane offices and the Australian Centre for Countering Child Exploitation at an estimated cost of $89.3 million.

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is seeking approval to upgrade and fit-out Building 302, Research Way at its existing Clayton site, replacing the CSIRO Aspendale site as the primary location of the climate, ocean and atmospheric research teams at an estimated cost of $18.27 million.

The committee received submissions, and undertook site inspections, received private briefings, and conducted public and private hearings in Melbourne. The committee had the opportunity to visit CSIRO Aspendale and AFP Southern Command, which recently underwent a fit-out similar to what will be carried out at AFP Northern Command.

The committee has recommended that the House of Representatives approve the proposed works. Mr Zappia said, "Both projects provide these agencies with the necessary fit-for-purpose technical facilities and accommodation required for their respective work in advancing Australia’s security and prosperity."

Note: the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works is not involved in the tendering process, awarding of contracts or details of the proposed works. Enquiries on these matters should be directed to the relevant Commonwealth entities.

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THIS WEEK, 150 secondary school students from across Australia – one from each federal electorate – will come to Canberra for the 2026 National Youth Parliament – a fully funded, five-day program designed to equip young Australians with the knowledge, confidence and skills to engage with Australia’s parliamentary democracy. 

THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has today presented its report on its Review of the listing of White Australia as a prohibited hate group under the Criminal Code, backing the Federal Government's decision to list White Australia as a prohibited hate group.

The PJCIS found the organisation has engaged in conduct constituting hate crimes against Australians.

White Australia was listed in May 2026 under the new prohibited hate group framework – the second listing under new laws enacted by the Parliament earlier this year to stop groups that spread hatred, radicalise vulnerable young people and threaten social cohesion in Australia.

The PJCIS conducted an independent review of the listing which found that White Australia meets the criteria for listing and that the regulation under Part 5.3B of the Criminal Code Act 1995 was properly made. The committee supports the listing and found no reason to disallow the legislative instrument.

Chair of the Committee, Senator Raff Ciccone, said, “The PJCIS carefully examined the evidence before it, including stakeholder views. Based on the evidence, the committee is satisfied that White Australia has engaged in conduct constituting hate crimes and that the listing is necessary to protect Australians from harm.

“For too long, organisations like White Australia have been able to spread hate and create a pathway for others to engage in violence,” he said.

“Australia will not tolerate groups that promote hatred, normalise extremist rhetoric and put the safety of Australians at risk.”

Under the listing, it is a criminal offence to be a member of, recruit for, provide training or funds to, or provide material support to White Australia.

Anyone who experiences or witnesses a hate crime is encouraged to report it to the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400.

The full report is available from the committee’s website.

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THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has today tabled its report on its review of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) Amendment Bill 2026, calling for urgent action on cryptocurrency ATMs.

The committee found cryptocurrency ATMs (automatic teller machines) are a significant channel for scams and financial crime and has recommended the Minister, on advice from the AUSTRAC CEO, consider restrictions or prohibitions as a priority.

Committee Chair, Senator Raff Ciccone, said the inquiry highlighted the need for Australia's regulatory framework to keep pace with evolving technologies and criminal methodologies.

“Money laundering and terrorism financing continue to cause serious harm to our community, economy and national security,” Senator Ciccone said. “It is important that Australia's laws keep pace with the criminals."

The Bill would strengthen Australia's AML/CTF framework by creating a new mechanism to address emerging financial crime risks, updating terrorism financing provisions and making technical amendments to improve how the framework operates.

The Bill gives AUSTRAC a new power to act on high-risk products, services or channels, like cryptocurrency ATMs, across an entire sector at once. The committee recommended that this power be exercised by the responsible Minister on advice from the AUSTRAC CEO to strengthen accountability and public confidence.

The committee also recommended greater transparency in consultation processes before any ban or restriction is imposed, and endorsed changes to modernise the counter-terrorism financing framework and assess risks associated with legacy payment infrastructure.

Further details on the review and the report are available on the Committee’s website: aph.gov.au/pjcis

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Master Builders Australia broadly welcomes the committee's recommendations, which align closely with the organisation's long-standing advocacy.

The interim report mentions while regulation is essential to ensure safe, resilient and high-quality housing, increasing regulatory complexity is placing further pressures on the construction sector.

It also finds that while placing the CFMEU into administration was an important step, further reforms are required to prevent a recurrence of past practices and restore confidence in the industry. This is a position Master Builders Australia has continued to advocate.

"The Federal Government must deliver lasting reforms including the establishment of an independent regulator to ensure history does not repeat itself once the CFMEU Administration period ends,” Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn said.

Ms Wawn also highlighted that the findings reflect what builders and tradies have been saying for years and that the focus must now turn to action.

“We welcome the committee's recommendation to refocus the NCC on minimum safety and performance requirements, as well as its recommendation that government procurement policies should not preference union backed Enterprise Bargaining Agreements," she said.

“The NCC is no longer fit for purpose and is adding thousands of dollars unnecessarily to the cost of building projects.

“The committee is spot on in identifying the factors undermining productivity across the construction sector. While we look forward to the final report, Parliament must now focus on delivery and implementing reforms that boost productivity, lower costs and support the delivery of more homes, infrastructure and buildings.”

www.masterbuilders.com.au

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport’s inquiry into local government funding will hear from Geoscape Australia and the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing this week.

The committee wants to better understand from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing how local government can be supported to help deliver medical, aged care and disability services across their communities.

In 2025-26, the Australian Government provided nearly $250 million to local governments for a range of public health services, as well as community-based health and home care services, according to the Department. The funds were also to support critical infrastructure and service delivery, particularly in areas of market failure.

The committee will also hear from Geoscape Australia to discuss its role as the nation’s location intelligence organisation, using location data to deliver geospatial capabilities and insights to support local government and business.

Committee Chair, Fiona Phillips, said, "The committee is keen to hear from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing about whether current funding arrangements are meeting local governments' needs. It also wants to explore how funding can better support councils delivering health, aged care and disability services, particularly in regional and rural communities.

“In regard to Geoscape Australia, the committee looks forward to hearing how Geoscape services can assist local governments with better infrastructure planning, climate resilience, energy management, and how to manage the damage from natural disasters such as flooding.”

Further information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and how to contribute, is available on the committee’s website.

Public hearing

Date: Thursday, 13 August 2026
Time: 11am – 12.30pm
Location: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra

A program for the public hearing is available on the inquiry website. A live broadcast of the hearing will also be available on the APH website.

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