THE Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade through its Human Rights Subcommittee will hold its first public hearing for its inquiry into gender equality as a national security and economic security imperative on Friday, March 27.

Chair of the Human Rights Subcommittee, Tony Zappia MP, said, "Australia is a global champion of gender equality. The subcommittee will hear…

THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Primary Industries will hold its first public hearing on Thursday, March 26, as part of its inquiry into factors shaping social licence and economic development outcomes for critical minerals projects across Australia.

The committee will hear from the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR), whose submission highlights the role of…

THE Foreign Affairs and Aid Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will hear from the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) as part of its Inquiry into the role of Australia's international development program in preventing conflict on Thursday March 26.

Chair of the Foreign Affairs and Aid Subcommittee, the Tim Watts MP, said the…

THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Workplace Relations, Skills and Training will hold a public hearing on Thursday, March 26, as part of its inquiry into the operation and adequacy of the National Employment Standards (NES).

The inquiry was referred to the committee on November 27, 2025, by Employment and Workplace Relations Minister, Amanda Rishworth MP.

The NES…

CREATIVE AUSTRALIA will give evidence this Wednesday at a public hearing for an inquiry into arts and cultural philanthropy.

The Standing Committee on Communications, the Arts and Sport is inquiring into opportunities to increase philanthropic giving for Australia’s cultural sector and the role the government could play in boosting private support for the arts.

Chair of the House Standing…

THE Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will hold a public hearing for its inquiry into the Papua New Guinea – Australia Mutual Defence Treaty (the Pukpuk Treaty) at 11.00am on March 23, 2026.

The Treaty aims to expand and modernise Australia and Papua New Guinea’s security and defence ties through creating mutual defence and consultation obligations, allowing for the conduct of Defence…

THE Essential Services Commission has commenced civil penalty proceedings in the Supreme Court of Victoria against energy retailer Engie.

Engie is the fifth largest energy retailer in the state, with 180,000 electricity and 155,000 gas residential customers in Victoria.

The commission has alleged that between January 23, 2024, and November 14, 2024, Engie broke Victorian energy laws…

THE Electoral Matters Committee will be conducting public hearings in Hobart and Devonport as part of its inquiry into the 2025 Federal Election.

Committee Chair, Jerome Laxale MP said, "Australian polling booths are the envy of the world as welcoming places of civic participation and good-natured competition. Yet for many voters and campaigners, the 2025 election was one of the most unpleasant…

The hearing will bring together experts from the humanities and social sciences, language education, and international relations to explore how the Australian education system builds…