The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will hold public hearings in Melbourne and Sydney as part of its inquiry into strengthening Australia’s trade and investment relations with Africa.

Media release issue date: Tuesday, 28 April 2026

The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will hold public hearings in Melbourne and Sydney as part of its inquiry into strengthening Australia’s trade and investment relations with Africa. Subcommittee Chair, Mrs Fiona Phillips MP, said ‘These hearings will allow the Subcommittee to engage directly with organisations and individuals based in Victoria and New South Wales and hear unique and important insights into how Australia can strengthen its trade and investment relations with Africa.’ ‘The Subcommittee will hear from a variety of organisations and individuals, including across business, media, logistics and community groups, each of whom will have the opportunity to share their perspectives on the changing demographic and economic opportunities across Africa’s diverse markets.’ In Melbourne, the Subcommittee will hear from: Mr Gebreselasie Gebru Australia Africa Chamber of Commerce Australia Zimbabwe Business Council African Professionals of Australia Limited Australian Industry Group Africa Media Australia Emerging Brand Africa Sanctuary Global Enterprises Ms Bronwen Halfpenny MP, Member for Thomastown In Sydney, the Subcommittee will hear from: Vitti Capital: African Professionals of Australia; African Advocacy Centre; Western Sydney University Kenya Community NSW Food Markies / Multicultural Food Hub Export Council of Australia ‘The evidence gathered at these hearings will identify opportunities and barriers to Australia’s trade and investment with African nations and inform recommendations to the Australian Government,’ Mrs Phillips added. Public Hearing Details Melbourne Date: Wednesday, 29 April 2026  Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (AEST) Location: Parliament of Victoria, 55 St Andrews Place, Melbourne – Hearing Room 3 Davui Sydney Date: Thursday, 30 April 2026 Time: 9:00 am – 11:35 am (AEST) Location: Commonwealth Parliamentary Offices, Level 21, 1 Bligh Street, Sydney – Meeting Room 1 Programs for each public hearing are available on the inquiry website. Public hearings are broadcast live on the Australian Parliament House Streaming Portal. Media enquiries Katrina Condie, office of Mrs Fiona Phillips MP (Member for Gilmore; Chair, Trade Subcommittee) Ph: 0437 662 967 For background information Committee Secretariat Ph: 02 6277 2313 jscfadt@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade through its Trade Subcommittee is continuing its public hearing program for its inquiry into strengthening Australia’s trade and investment relations with Africa. Witnesses for the Subcommittee’s public hearing will include the Australian Border Force under the Department of Home Affairs portfolio, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, an African nation Head of Mission representative, peak bodies and African community groups, and experts.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 12 March 2026

The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade through its Trade Subcommittee is continuing its public hearing program for its inquiry into strengthening Australia’s trade and investment relations with Africa. Witnesses for the Subcommittee’s public hearing will include the Australian Border Force under the Department of Home Affairs portfolio, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, an African nation Head of Mission representative, peak bodies and African community groups, and experts. Chair of the Trade Subcommittee, Mrs Fiona Phillips MP, said ‘the Subcommittee will be hearing from witnesses with a range of insights across Australia and Africa’s trade and investment footprint. We look forward to exploring both opportunities and challenges in emerging industries such as agribusiness and climate resilience, and the important role of our African communities, NGOs, and education sector in fostering collaborative and enduring partnerships. The hearing will also examine the role of Australia’s tariff preference system in facilitating trade, opportunities to expand economic engagement under the Africa Continental Free Trade Area, and the importance of policy frameworks to underpin Australia’s economic engagement.’ ‘There is increasing global interest in African nations as economic partners, and it is vitally important for Australia to understand the varying aspects of the trade and investment landscape between our two continents at the regional level, the regulatory environments, emerging markets, existing levers, and the integral role of the African diaspora communities and education sector in shaping and facilitating trade. We look forward to expanding on the suggested recommendations presented in the submissions.’ Evidence provided by the witnesses will be integral to informing the Subcommittee’s understanding of the breadth of issues under the inquiry. The Subcommittee will be scheduling further public hearings over the coming months. Public Hearing Details Date: Friday, 13 March 2026  Time: 9:00 am – 1:20 pm (AEDT) Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra ACT and via videoconference The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live. Media inquiries Katrina Condie, office of Mrs Fiona Phillips MP (Member for Gilmore; Chair, Trade Subcommittee) Ph: 0437 662 967 For background information Committee Secretariat Ph: 02 6277 2313 jscfadt@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade through its Trade Subcommittee will hold a public hearing with Austrade for its inquiry into strengthening Australia’s trade and investment relations with Africa.

Media release issue date: Tuesday, 10 March 2026

The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade through its Trade Subcommittee will hold a public hearing with Austrade for its inquiry into strengthening Australia’s trade and investment relations with Africa.  Chair of the Trade Subcommittee, Mrs Fiona Phillips MP, said ‘Austrade plays a valuable role in the trade and investment environment by supporting Australian businesses to expand and diversify in international markets. Australian businesses rely on Austrade’s expertise to provide advice on opportunities, market entry, and local business practices to engage with African markets. Austrade is therefore positioned to provide the Subcommittee with valuable insights into its terms of reference.’ Austrade’s evidence will provide important context to the Subcommittee concerning the current trade and investment landscape between Australia and African nations. Crucially, Austrade’s evidence will inform the Subcommittee’s understanding of the Australian Government’s role in assisting Australian businesses to identify opportunities to diversify to specific African markets, and the government’s future policy objectives to support mutually beneficial trade and investment. The Subcommittee will continue its public hearings with a half-day hearing on Friday, 13 March 2026. The public hearing program will be released later this week. Public Hearing Details Date: Wednesday, 11 March 2026  Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am (AEDT) Location: Committee Room 2S1, Parliament House, Canberra ACT The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live. Media inquiries Katrina Condie, office of Mrs Fiona Phillips MP (Member for Gilmore; Chair, Trade Subcommittee) Ph: 0437 662 967 For background information Committee Secretariat Ph: 02 6277 2313 jscfadt@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade through its Trade Subcommittee will hear from African Heads of Mission on Friday, 6 March 2026 in roundtable discussions as part of its inquiry into strengthening Australia’s trade and investment relations with Africa.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 5 March 2026

The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade through its Trade Subcommittee will hear from African Heads of Mission on Friday, 6 March 2026 in roundtable discussions as part of its inquiry into strengthening Australia’s trade and investment relations with Africa. Chair of the Trade Subcommittee, Mrs Fiona Phillips MP, said “for Australia to develop its trade and investment ties with the African continent, it is integral that we listen to the valuable insights of its residents. “As such, the Subcommittee has invited diplomatic representatives from across the African continent to share their perspectives. “Trade and investment relationships rely on countries working together. It is therefore important to understand what African nations want from Australia for us to understand what opportunities exist across the African continent. “These roundtable sessions will examine how we can make the most of the opportunity to strengthen trade and investment relations between Australia and African Nations. The Trade Subcommittee is grateful to the Heads of Mission and other representatives who have agreed to participate in the Subcommittee’s inquiry.” The Subcommittee will schedule further public hearings soon. Public Hearing Details Date: Friday, 6 March 2026  Time: 9:00am – 12:10pm (AEDT) Location: Committee Room 1R2, Parliament House, Canberra ACT The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live. Media inquiries Katrina Condie, office of Mrs Fiona Phillips MP (Member for Gilmore; Chair, Trade Subcommittee) Ph: 0437 662 967 For background information Committee Secretariat Ph: 02 6277 2313 jscfadt@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade through its Trade Subcommittee will hold its first public hearing for its inquiry into strengthening Australia’s trade and investment relations with Africa on 4 March 2026 at 10am.

Media release issue date: Tuesday, 3 March 2026

The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade through its Trade Subcommittee will hold its first public hearing for its inquiry into strengthening Australia’s trade and investment relations with Africa on 4 March 2026 at 10am. Chair of the Trade Subcommittee, Mrs Fiona Phillips MP, said “the first Subcommittee public hearing will be with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In this public hearing, the Subcommittee will seek to gather evidence on its five terms of reference. “The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade plays a key role in Australia’s trade and investment policy, as its responsibilities involve working with international partners to increase trade and investment opportunities. DFAT’s insights will, therefore, be of great value to the Subcommittee as it initiates its public hearings. “Evidence provided by DFAT will serve to provide the Subcommittee a strong basis of understanding of the issues this inquiry seeks to examine. This will be important to the Subcommittee as it continues its evidence gathering in future public hearings’” The Subcommittee will schedule further public hearings soon, commencing with a Roundtable with African diplomatic representatives on Friday, 6 March. Media inquiries Katrina Condie, office of Mrs Fiona Phillips MP (Member for Gilmore; Chair, Trade Subcommittee) Ph: 0437 662 967 For background information Committee Secretariat Ph: 02 6277 2313 jscfadt@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade has adopted a new inquiry into the potential to expand Australia’s trade and investment relations with Africa.

Media release issue date: Friday, 17 October 2025

The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT) has adopted a new inquiry into the potential to expand Australia’s trade and investment relations with Africa. The Chair of the JSCFADT, the Hon Shayne Neumann MP, said ‘Australia’s trading relationship with the countries of Africa has strongly focused on the extractives and tourism sectors. Africa is a diverse continent of 54 countries, spanning vastly different resources and development. It is important to recognise that Africa is not a single market, but comprises discrete economies with separate and diverse opportunities.’ The Chair of the Trade Subcommittee, Mrs Fiona Phillips MP, said ‘Australia has long-standing relations with countries of Africa, with a two-way goods and services trade valued at $12.7 billion in 2024. Over recent years, several African nations have experienced strong economic and population growth and this trend is projected to continue. The Committee is keen to examine the opportunities to expand and diversify trade and investment with African nations, including enhancing engagement through the African Continental Free Trade Area. There is great potential for Australia to strengthen its economic and diplomatic relations in the region.’ Key themes of the inquiry’s focus include: the nature of Australia’s existing trade and investment relations with the region identifying barriers and impediments to trade and investment identifying opportunities for Australian businesses to diversify exports to specific African markets. assessing the potential for the African Continental Free Trade Area to stimulate greater economic engagement between Australia and Africa the role of the Government in identifying new opportunities and assisting Australian companies to access existing and potential economic opportunities in Africa. The Subcommittee is now inviting written submissions by Friday, 19 December 2025. Media inquiries Katrina Condie, office of Mrs Fiona Phillips MP (Member for Gilmore; Chair, Trade Subcommittee) Ph: 0437 662 967 For background information Committee Secretariat Ph: 02 6277 2313 jscfadt@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.