THE Standing Committee on Petitions has today tabled its report into the security and accessibility aspects of the House of Representatives petitions system.

The committee examined the need to balance security and accessibility requirements for electronic and paper petitions, the functionality of current systems, and the options for future development and change to the petitions system. Chair of the committee, Ken O’Dowd MP, said the inquiry has highlighted the ongoing importance of petitioning to Australians.

"Through the course of its inquiry the committee has been presented with evidence on the importance and functionality of the House petitions system, and we thank all inquiry participants who put forward a submission. As the only way for members of the public to have a direct voice to Parliament we recognise the value of petitioning," Mr O’Dowd said.

The inquiry report reflects on the current functions of the petitions system, and its effectiveness at maintaining an accessible yet secure way to facilitate public support for petitions.

Mr O’Dowd said, "The Petitions Committee seeks to retain the accessibility of the system, while continuing to manage security requirements. The report does not include recommendations, as we found that any changes to security would negatively impact accessibility and vice versa."

He also noted that the committee understands that the current balance meets the requirements of the Australian public.

"We will continue to work to deliver a secure, user-friendly system to facilitate debate and change for the betterment of all Australians," Mr O’Dowd said.

Further details about the inquiry, including the report and submissions, can be found on the Committee’s webpage.

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade today presented its report, Australia’s response to the coup in Myanmar.

Chair of the Foreign Affairs and Aid Subcommittee, Dave Sharma MP, said, "The military coup in Myanmar has resulted in widespread loss of life and human tragedy, and has entirely reversed the significant development gains Myanmar has made in the past decade under civilian, democratic rule.

"This has led the committee to make a range of recommendations to the Australian Government, including how Australia can best support regional diplomacy efforts geared towards resolution of the crisis, and the implications for our development assistance program.

"The Committee also recommends Australian Government support for ASEAN, UN and multilateral efforts to hold leaders of the Tatmadaw to account; investigate serious human rights violations; deter further violent repression; and restore civilian democratic rule," Mr Sharma said.

The report provides an overview of the diplomatic options available to Australia to positively influence developments in Myanmar, drawing on evidence from a wide range of diaspora groups, human rights organisations, leading experts and government.

The committee made eight recommendations, including:

• that the Australian Government continue to pursue the restoration of civilian rule in Myanmar as a foreign policy objective;
• for official Australian engagement with the legitimately-elected representatives of Myanmar, and for caution to avoid conveying legitimacy to military rule in Myanmar;
• continuation of Australian development assistance directed to humanitarian needs and civil society, but directed through non-government entities;
• further consideration of sanctions, including financial sanctions, against senior figures in the Tatmadaw and Tatmadaw-linked entities; and
• exploration of pathways to permanent residency for Myanmar nationals in Australia.

Further information about the inquiry, including the report, submissions, transcripts, and responses to questions on notice, can be found on the Committee’s website.

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A PARLIAMENTARY inquiry has been established to consider new ideas to engage and inform Australians about the Constitution and to examine the way in which referendums are conducted in Australia.

The Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs, Andrew Wallace MP, said the inquiry would be an opportunity for a fresh look at the process of constitutional reform in Australia.

"The period since 1999 has been the longest in Australia’s history without a referendum to change the Australian Constitution, so there will be many Australians of voting age who have no experience of voting in a referendum," Mr Wallace said.

"The committee is keen to consider suggestions to involve more Australians in a conversation about the Constitution, including how best to consult the community on proposals for constitutional change before they are put to a referendum. The committee will also consider the need to modernise the way in which referendums are conducted to ensure it remains appropriate in contemporary Australia.

"The inquiry is not about specific changes to the Constitution, but about ensuring that as a nation we can have informed discussion and debate about any proposals for constitutional change, and a fit-for-purpose referendum process to decide on them."

The committee is accepting written submissions of no more than 4000 wordsuntil August 6, 2021. Further information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference, is available on the inquiry webpage at www.aph.gov.au/constitutionalreform.

Information about making a submission is available on the Parliament of Australia webpage.

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THE Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works has announced it will scrutinise four new projects referred in June 2021

Details of the projects are:

• Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Construction of National Collections Building, Black Mountain Science and Innovation Park, ACT - $70 million.
• Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), Expansion of the National Sea Simulator, Townsville, QLD - $27.5 million.
• Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Intermediate Level Solid Waste Storage Facility, Lucas Heights, NSW — $59.8 million.
• Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (Australian Antarctic Division), Scientific Research Station Modernisation, Macquarie Island - $49.8 million.

It is anticipated the committee will conduct a public and in-camera hearing for each inquiry throughout August 2021. The committee wants to hear from all individuals or organisations interested in the projects. The deadline for submissions are listed on the Public Works Committee website.

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

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DUE to the escalating COVID-19 situation in Sydney and increased travel restrictions for interstate delegates and speakers, the Carbon Market Institute has made the difficult decision to postpone this week’s 8th Australasian Emissions Reduction Summit on June 24-25.

New dates for the Summit -- still to be held at the ICC Darling Harbour -- are Wednesday and Thursday, August 11-12, 2021.

A spokesperson said the decision to postpone, rather than continue as a fully virtual event, has been made due to overwhelming feedback regarding the importance of in-person networking and interaction. 

THIS FRIDAY, June 25, the Trade and Investment Growth Committee will commence its program of public hearings on the prudential regulation of investment in Australia’s export industries, with representatives from export businesses.

Committee Chair, George Christensen MP, said the committee was interested in hearing from export businesses in the resources sector about any challenges they have faced in accessing insurance and financial services.

"Australia’s export industries, including the resources sector, are critical in supporting our national economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, it is timely that this Committee examine the challenges and opportunities for these industries in accessing financial services and insurance," Mr Christensen said.

Witnesses include the Minerals Council of Australia, the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, Adani Australia and other peak associations and businesses. Future hearings in coming weeks will feature witnesses from banks and financial institutions, government agencies and a wide range of stakeholder groups.

Public hearing details

Date: Friday, 25 June 2021
Time: 9am–3.10pm
Location: Committee Room 2R2, Parliament House, Canberra

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live. Further information about the committee’s inquiry, including the public hearing program is available on the committee’s webpage.

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A NATIONAL awareness campaign about a free tailored mental health support service for small business owners has begun, amid new research revealing the emotional toll on small business owners during the past year.

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson said the campaign would raise awareness about Beyond Blue’s New Access for Small Business Owners program, which offers free one-on-one telehealth sessions with specially trained mental health coaches.

“It is vital small business owners know that help is available if they need it,” Mr Billson said.

“New Access for Small Business Owners offers free one-on-one telehealth sessions with specially trained mental health coaches providing evidence-based advice on strategies for managing stress.

“Crucially, the New Access for Small Business Owners program is delivered by coaches that have experience in small business. It really helps to know that the person you’re speaking with understands what it takes to run a small business.

“We know many small business owners have been hit hard throughout the pandemic, particularly with going in and out of lockdowns and restrictions, and that has understandably taken a toll.

“New research released by Xero has found almost seven out of 10 (68%) of 500 small business owners surveyed reported the past 12 months have been more emotionally draining than any other year they’ve been in business.

“It also found small business leaders have collectively lost more than eight million hours of sleep each week due to the demands of running their small business. Trouble sleeping can be a sign of stress.

“It’s important small business owners understand if they look after their mental health, they can also help their business.

“Our My Business Health web portal is an excellent support tool for small business owners and it links with the New Access for Small Business Owners program, while also providing easy-to-read, practical tips on the day-to-day tasks of running a small business.”

Beyond Blue’s New Access for Small Business Owners program is available now.

mybusinesshealth.gov.au

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CHANGES to skilled migration rules announced by the Federal Government this week will have a positive effect on the engineering profession and have been endorsed by Engineers Australia.

The Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) has been expanded to include civil, structural, electrical, geotechnical, transport, mining and petroleum engineering occupations. This is in addition to the already-listed occupations of mechanical and software engineer.

Engineers Australia chief executive officer, Bronwyn Evans said, “Engineers Australia welcomes the addition of seven engineering occupations to the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List. This is an excellent outcome which is set to benefit many companies across a range of engineering-intensive sectors in Australia.

“On behalf of the profession, Engineers Australia has been engaging with the Commonwealth Government about improvements to skilled migration as Australia moves towards the economic recovery phase of the coronavirus pandemic and it’s pleasing that the government has listened and taken appropriate steps," Dr Evans said.

“Some 58.5 percent  of engineers in Australia’s labour force are born overseas, compared with 30 percent for the broader population, which demonstrates a high degree of reliance on skilled migration and the value of this week’s changes to the PMSOL.

“Resolving long-term skills supply challenges will require further action. Notably, less than half of overseas-born qualified engineers are in engineering roles, compared with two-thirds for their Australian-born peers.

“More support is needed for migrant engineers to break into the domestic employment market to ensure the nation benefits from this under-utilised skills supply.”

Engineers Australia is conducting research into the reasons for different employment outcomes for migrant engineers, which will be finalised next month.

“Engineers Australia is also keen to see the development of a long-term policy for the re-opening of Australia’s international borders,” Dr Evans said.

“This could include metrics that indicate when it is safe for the international border to re-open, such as vaccination rates, and nationally-aligned protocols for management of outbreaks.”

About Engineers Australia

With over 100,000 individual members, Engineers Australia is the profession’s peak body and is the voice of the profession, existing to advance the science and practice of engineering for the benefit of the community. High standards, globally-recognised credentials and international agreements enable Engineers Australia members to live and work around the world – with members currently in more than 120 countries.

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