THE Housing Industry Association (HIA) today told the Senate Select Committee on the Operation of the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) Discount that targeting property investors will do nothing to ease the pressure on homeowners or renters.

“Housing supply is the core issue driving Australia’s housing crisis. The only real solution is to build enough homes to meet demand,”  HIA managing director, Jocelyn Martin said.

“Whether you are concerned about home ownership, rental affordability, government revenue or fairness between investors and owner occupiers, the answer is the same: build more homes. 

“If you want lower prices, you need more homes.

“If you want lower rents, you need more rental stock.

“If you want stronger public finances, you need more construction activity.”

Ms Martin said new housing already carries a significant tax burden, meaning every additional home built generates around $200,000 in direct tax revenue.

“If governments want more revenue from housing, they should focus on building more homes. More homes mean more revenue and slower house price growth. More homes also reduce returns to investors and will see them leave the housing market for other opportunities in an orderly way," Ms Martin said.

HIA’s submission to the inquiry sets out modelling showing that removing or restricting negative gearing or the CGT discount would reduce dwelling starts, reduce GDP, reduce construction employment and increase rents over time.

“With investors financing around one‑third to 40 per cent of all new dwellings in Australia, they are part of the supply solution – not the problem," Ms Martin said.

“There is a tendency to assume that raising taxes on investors will improve opportunities for younger Australians. But restricting supply only locks in capital gains for existing owners and limits entry for those who come after. It would entrench today’s inequities for decades.

“Fewer homes mean fewer jobs, fewer taxpayers, higher rents and a greater reliance on investors in the housing market,” Ms Martin said.

Read HIA’s opening statement. 

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THE Office for the Arts is giving evidence this Thursday at a public hearing for an inquiry into boosting arts and cultural philanthropy.

Chair of the House Standing Committee on Communications, the Arts and Sport, Ms Susan Templeman MP, said, "Philanthropy is critical for the arts and cultural sector in Australia. The Committee hopes to gain insights into how the Office for the Arts is working to encourage and incentivise philanthropic giving."

Written submissions to the inquiry are being accepted. Submissions close on March 2.

The inquiry terms of reference include looking into:

• new and emerging funding mechanisms, including digital fundraising platforms;
• the effectiveness of government policies and programs;
• incentives and disincentives for philanthropic giving and private support, including tax and regulatory settings;
• potential government initiatives to increase philanthropic participation.

Public hearing details are below. Information about making submissions and the full 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: Thursday, 26 February 2026
Time: 12pm – 1pm (Canberra time)
Location: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra

Watch on YouTube @AUSParliamentLive or ParlView

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, through the Foreign Affairs and Aid Subcommittee, is commencing public hearings for its inquiry into the role of Australia's international development program in preventing conflict today in Melbourne.

Chair of the Foreign Affairs and Aid Subcommittee, Tim Watts MP, said, "The subcommittee received a large volume of submissions to its inquiry, which provided key insights into stakeholder views about the challenges and priorities for Australia’s development program in the context of increasing conflict.

"We look forward to meeting with practitioners, academics and advisory groups from the international development sector to expand on the suggested recommendations contributed by stakeholders in their submissions," he said.

"Australia’s international development program is a critical component of our statecraft toolkit –working alongside diplomacy, trade and defence - to advance a peaceful, stable, and prosperous future for our region."

Further information, including the hearing program is available on the Inquiry webpage.

Public Hearing Details

Date: Monday 23 February 2026
Time: 10am – 3:15pm (AEDT)
Location: Cliftons Melbourne, 1/440 Collins St, Melbourne, Victoria

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

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TOMORROW, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works (the committee) will conduct a site inspection at Blamey Barracks, Kapooka NSW, and shortly after question officials from the Department of Defence about proposed works at the site.

The proposed works seek to invest in modern, contemporary, and fit-for-purpose facilities for soldiers and reserve offices undertaking their initial training at the base, as part of the 2024 National Defence Strategy. The works propose to upgrade site-wide infrastructure, build new living-in accommodation, training facilities, a health and wellbeing facility, logistics facilities, and demolish redundant facilities.

The proposed works have a total estimated cost of $889.2 million.

The committee will hear from relevant officers from the Department of Defence at the hearing. Interested members of the public are encouraged to listen in to the public hearing via the APH website or attend the hearing in person at the location listed below.

Public hearing details

Date: Tuesday, 17 February 2026
Time: 1pm–1:40pm
Location: Quality Inn Carriage House, 7 Eunony Bridge Road, East Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs has reopened submissions until March 13, 2026 for its inquiryinto the relationship between domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) and suicide.

Committee Chair, Louise Miller-Frost MP, said, “The committee wants to ensure that the community and the sector have ample opportunity to contribute to this inquiry and can provide the Committee with a deeper understanding of these issues and how more accurate DFSV data and trends can be obtained.”

Ms Miller-Frost said, "Due to the high level of interest received to date, the committee has agreed to reopen submissions for another six weeks from the original deadline and is now accepting submissions until Friday 13 March 2026. The committee appreciates the high level of interest in contributing to this important inquiry and is seeking to gather as many perspectives as possible ahead of upcoming public hearings.

“Those considering making a submission to the inquiry are asked to direct their input to the terms of reference. The committee is focussed on systemic issues and cannot investigate or assist with individual cases. The committee will not be publishing contributions that provide personal details or include information relating to individual circumstances.”

Public hearings for the inquiry will commence in February 2026. Further information about the inquiry, including the full terms of reference, is available on the inquiry page.

Ms Miller-Frost said the committee was unable to intervene or provide advice in relation to individual circumstances. If people are in immediate danger, contact 000.

If you or someone you know needs help, please contact the services below:

• Suicide Call Back Service:1300 659 467
• 1800 Respect: 1800 737 732
• Lifeline: Call 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
• MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978
• 13YARN: 13 92 76
• Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800
• Headspace: 1800 650 890

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THE UNION representing teachers in early childhood education and care (ECEC) in NSW and the ACT has called for urgent action to address the staffing crisis in the sector as new data reveals ongoing child safety issues.

A Productivity Commission report shows there were 9430 serious incidents at early childhood services in NSW in 2024-25, a rate of 154 incidents reported per 100 centres. A serious incident is one that has a grave impact on the health, safety or wellbeing of a child.

It also reveals NSW's use of staffing waivers, which allow services a temporary exemption from some quality regulations, has more than doubled from 316 in 2019 to 658 in 2024 – the highest in the country.

“This data shows the sector needs urgent changes to rebuild a strong child safety culture,” said Independent Education Union of Australia NSW/ACT Branch Secretary Carol Matthews. “Well-trained, properly paid staff are key to solving this safety crisis.”

Ms Matthews said children attending centres with staffing waivers are at greater risk of serious harm. The reduction in the proportion of staff who have qualifications also directly impacts the safety of children.

“When there aren’t enough staff, children aren’t properly supervised, and that’s when safety breaches occur,” she said. “Serious incidents are often the result of inadequate supervision and that is a direct consequence of understaffing.”

Ms Matthews said better pay and conditions were key to improving the quality of services and solving the sector’s staffing shortages. Early childhood teachers should have pay parity with their colleagues who teach in primary schools, she said.

“Our members are constantly telling us that employers and governments need to take child safety seriously by addressing the staffing crisis in the sector,” Ms Matthews said.

The Productivity Commission’s report also shows the importance of adequate staffing ratios to effectively protect the safety and best interests of young children attending early learning centres.

“Staff-to-child ratios must be reviewed; for example, to ensure that one adult is never left alone with a group of children,” Ms Matthews said. “If one staff member leaves a group of 20 children to assist one child in the bathroom, that leaves one adult alone with 19 children.”

www.ieu.asn.au

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THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has tabled a report regarding proposed reforms to the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) compulsory questioning warrants framework.

First introduced in 2003, ASIO’s compulsory questioning powers have been subject to recurring sunset provisions. The ASIO Amendment Bill (No.2) 2025 seeks to make these powers permanent, and further reform them, including expanding the grounds on which ASIO can seek a warrant.

The committee’s report makes four recommendations to further strengthen safeguards and accountability in relation to the granting and use of the powers, and their oversight by the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security. 

PJCIS Chair, Senator Raff Ciccone, said, “The committee is satisfied that the compulsory questioning framework is necessary and is also largely fit for purpose, and therefore endorses the proposal in the Bill to repeal provision for the periodic sunsetting of the powers.”

“With the entrenchment of the compulsory questioning powers, regular review is more important than ever.

"As per the proposed amendment in Part 1 of the Bill, the committee considers that it is appropriate for the committee to undertake another statutory review within three years of the commencement of the amendments.” Sen. Ciccone said.

A full copy of the report and further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the committee’s website.

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TODAY, Mr Tony Zappia MP, chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works presented the Public Works Committee’s first report of 2026 and its 89th Annual Report to the House of Representatives.

In Report 1/2026, referrals made in September and October 2025 considered  six proposed works:

• Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation – Black Mountain Greenhouse Redevelopment, with an estimated total cost of $37.9 million;
• Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation – Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness – Stage 1 Part Life Refit, with an estimated total cost of $372.216 million;
• Australian Taxation Office – Proposed Fit-out of Leased Premises, Levels 5 to 10, 152 Wharf Street, Brisbane, with an estimated total cost of $29.179 million;
• Services Australia – Proposed Fit-out of Leased Premises at 90 Crown Street, Wollongong, New South Wales, with an estimated total cost of $22.34 million;
• Attorney-General’s Department – Proposed Fit-out of Existing Leased Premises at 3-5 National Circuit, Barton, Australian Capital Territory, with an estimated total cost of $39.3 million;
• Department of Home Affairs – Yongah Hill Immigration Detention Centre Redevelopment Project, with an estimated total cost of $34.944 million.

The committee found these projects had merit and represented value for money for the Australian Government. The committee recommended that the House of Representatives approve them.

The committee made some additional recommendations around ensuring that proponent entities thoroughly consult with affected staff and other stakeholders prior to and during project development and that such feedback is considered in project design and implementation, where appropriate.

Mr Zappia said, "While the committee has recommended that these projects be approved, it is vital that proponent entities robustly plan all proposed works to ensure the greatest confidence in estimated budgets and that value for money for the Commonwealth is maximised.

"Proper consultation with staff and other affected partners is essential if works are to be delivered in a state that is most fit for purpose. Proponent entities must ensure that adequate consultation is undertaken to make sure that relevant feedback is included in early design work and construction phases, thereby reducing the need to make potentially costly changes at later stages," he said.

In addition to providing an update on committee activities over the course of 2025, the committee’s 89th Annual Report reiterated the need for reform of the Public Works Committee Act 1969 (the Act) and highlighted the committee’s expectations for entities proposing public works and engaging with the scrutiny process.

Echoing a similar recommendation from the committee’s 87th Annual Report, the committee called for the government to prioritise the consultative review of the Act to ensure that it remained fit-for-purpose and provided a robust legislative framework for the thoroughgoing scrutiny of proposed public works by the Parliament.

On the annual report, Mr Zappia said, "Reform of the Act was agreed in principle by the government in response to the recommendation in the committee’s 87th Annual Report back in March 2024.

"The need for legislative reform has not changed since then and the committee reiterates that recommendation as a matter of urgency.

"Legislative reform is vital to ensure appropriate Parliamentary scrutiny of proposed public works and so that committee operation is aligned to current Parliamentary practice and procedure," he said.

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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