Federal Parliament is releasing the report of its inquiry into the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for Australia’s foreign affairs, defence and trade policy.
Media release issue date: Tuesday, 8 December 2020
Federal Parliament is releasing the report of its inquiry into the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for Australia’s foreign affairs, defence and trade policy. The Committee found that the lessons from COVID-19 are not primarily about health. The Chair of the Committee, Senator the Hon David Fawcett said that “the behaviour of nation states in response to COVID-19 has called into question some assumptions about the willingness of nations to support the global rules-based order”. He added that “these assumptions have underpinned many aspects of Australia’s foreign affairs, defence and trade in recent decades”. Senator Fawcett stressed that “any decrease in support for the norms of the rule-based order negatively affects collaboration and conflict resolution between nation states, as well as the efficacy of commercial relationships between companies.” The Committee concluded that the pandemic revealed vulnerabilities in Australia’s security and critical national systems “caused by supply chains that rely on just-in-time supply from the global market, particularly where companies are subject to extrajudicial and coercive direction from foreign governments”. Senator Fawcett said that because of the increased risks identified in the Strategic Update 2020, Australia must have a timely and strategic, whole-of-government response and that “returning to ‘business as usual’ is not an option”. Senator Fawcett said that “unexpected, sustained disruption due to another pandemic or grey-zone, coercive or military actions by state actors could degrade if not disable one or more of Australia’s critical national systems.” The Committee recommended that the Australian Government should change procurement rules to partner with Australian industry sectors which provide priority enablers to critical national systems. This partnership should be through the use of procurement to build and sustain sovereign capability, not just by offering one-off grants. The Committee concluded that Australia also required more investment and diplomatic effort to increase Australia’s resilience through trusted and transparent partnerships with like-minded nations. Media inquiries Senator David Fawcett Contact: Simeon Lawson 08 8205 1040 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2313 jscfadt@aph.gov.au
A parliamentary inquiry into the impact of COVID-19 on Australia’s defence, trade and international relations will conclude its program of public hearings with two days of hearings on the 15th and 16th of September. The first day will focus on international affairs, defence and maritime issues, while the second will focus on international development aid.
Media release issue date: Monday, 14 September 2020
A parliamentary inquiry into the impact of COVID-19 on Australia’s defence, trade and international relations will conclude its program of public hearings with two days of hearings on the 15th and 16th of September. The first day will focus on international affairs, defence and maritime issues, while the second will focus on international development aid. Senator the Hon David Fawcett, Chair of the Parliament's Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee, said that the pandemic has put great pressure on individual nations and international relationships as countries have struggled to contain the virus. "The pandemic has highlighted some serious challenges in Australia's defence and diplomatic environment and has put real pressure (both health and economic) on many countries in the Asia Pacific region," Senator Fawcett said. "These hearings will help the Committee understand what we need to do better as a nation to work with others in our region to get through these difficult times, to protect our national interest, and to maximise the positive impact of our international influence.” Programs for each day’s hearings are available at this link. Full terms of reference for the inquiry are on the Committee website. Public hearing details Date: Tuesday 15 September Time: 9.30am – 3.30pm AEST Location: By teleconference Date: Wednesday 16 September Time: 9.30am – 3.30pm AEST Location: By teleconference The hearings will be audio streamed live at aph.gov.au/live Media inquiries Senator David Fawcett Contact: Simeon Lawson 08 8205 1040 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2313 jscfadt@aph.gov.au
A parliamentary inquiry into the impact of COVID-19 on Australia’s defence, trade and international relations will hear from the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in two separate public hearings this week.
Media release issue date: Monday, 31 August 2020
A parliamentary inquiry into the impact of COVID-19 on Australia’s defence, trade and international relations will hear from the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in two separate public hearings this week. Senator David Fawcett, Chair of the Parliament’s Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee, said that the two Departments have vital roles to play in Australia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Industry Department will have to identify and transform industries critical to national sovereign capabilities to ensure Australia is less vulnerable to future shocks, while DFAT will need to lead Australia through a rapidly changing and uncertain regional and global environment. Senator Fawcett said “The work done by the Departments of Industry and Foreign Affairs will be crucial to Australia’s pandemic recovery as we look to build local capability and ensure international markets and institutions remain strong and open. Our challenges are to make sure we have a strong and resilient national economy and that we do what we can to make sure the global rules-based order is not unduly disrupted by changes in the international environment.” Full terms of reference for the inquiry are on the Committee website. Public hearing details Date: Tuesday 1 September Witness: Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources Time: 4.30 – 5.30pm AEST Location: By teleconference Date: Wednesday 2 September Witness: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Time: 8.00am – 9.00am AEST Location: By teleconference The hearings will be audio streamed live at aph.gov.au/live Media inquiries Senator David Fawcett Contact: Simeon Lawson 08 8205 1040 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2313 jscfadt@aph.gov.au
A parliamentary inquiry into the impact of COVID-19 on Australia’s defence, trade and international relations will hear from the Department of Finance.
Media release issue date: Monday, 24 August 2020
A parliamentary inquiry into the impact of COVID-19 on Australia’s defence, trade and international relations will hear from the Department of Finance. Senator David Fawcett, Chair of the Parliament’s Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee, said that Australia’s government procurement policies—overseen by the Department—could be a barrier to the survival of capability in some industry sectors that have invested heavily to help carry the nation through the worst of supply chain disruption brought about by the pandemic. Generating and sustaining industry capabilities that are important to Australia’s sovereign national interest must be recognised as a factor in evaluating value for money if Government procurement is to be a strategic part of Australia’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic Senator Fawcett said “In addition to the human cost of the pandemic, Australia has experienced supply chain disruptions and economic instability. Smart government procurement which contributes to the development of sovereign capability and builds economic resilience could be an important part of Australia’s recovery from the pandemic.” Full terms of reference for the inquiry are on the Committee website. Public hearing details Date: Tuesday 25 August Time: 4.30 – 5.30pm AEST Location: By teleconference The hearings will be audio streamed live at aph.gov.au/live Media enquiries Senator David Fawcett Contact: Simeon Lawson 08 8205 1040 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2313 jscfadt@aph.gov.au
A parliamentary inquiry into the impact of COVID-19 on Australia’s defence, trade and international relations will hear from the Department of Health.
Media release issue date: Wednesday, 12 August 2020
A parliamentary inquiry into the impact of COVID-19 on Australia’s defence, trade and international relations will hear from the Department of Health. Senator David Fawcett, Chair of the Parliament’s Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee, says the Department has been at the forefront of Australia’s COVID-19 response. Senator Fawcett said “Australians can rightly be proud of the achievements of our health authorities in responding to and managing the COVID-19 pandemic, though of course there is still work to be done. The committee looks forward to hearing from the Department about recent developments in the fight against COVID-19 and the steps we might take as a nation to build our resilience as we emerge from the pandemic.” Full terms of reference for the inquiry are on the Committee website. Public hearing details Date: Thursday 13 August Time: 3.00pm – 4.30pm AEST Location: By teleconference The hearings will be audio streamed live at aph.gov.au/live Media inquiries Senator David Fawcett Contact: Simeon Lawson 08 8205 1040 For background information Committee Secretariat 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.
A parliamentary inquiry into the impact of COVID-19 on Australia’s defence, trade and international relations will hear from the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) at its next public hearing.
Media release issue date: Monday, 10 August 2020
A parliamentary inquiry into the impact of COVID-19 on Australia’s defence, trade and international relations will hear from the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) at its next public hearing. Senator David Fawcett, Chair of the Parliament’s Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee, says ANSTO is a leading producer and exporter of some of the most important nuclear medicines used in diagnosing and treating cancers, heart disease, and neurological disorders. Senator Fawcett said “ANSTO has worked hard to ensure Australians have ongoing access to vital nuclear medicines during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it is also doing important work in the processing of rare earth metals, an area that has great potential to enhance Australia’s sovereign capabilities.” Witnesses from ANSTO will give evidence on their work in nuclear medicine, and their work in international forums like the International Atomic Energy Agency, as well as in rare earth mineral processing. Full terms of reference for the inquiry are on the Committee website. Public hearing details Date: Tuesday 11 August Time: 4:30m – 5.30pm AEST Location: By teleconference The hearings will be audio streamed live at aph.gov.au/live Media inquiries Senator David Fawcett Contact: Simeon Lawson 08 8205 1040 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2313 jscfadt@aph.gov.au
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Committee SecretaryJoint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and TradePO Box 6021Parliament HouseCanberra ACT 2600 Phone: +61 2 6277 2313jscfadt@aph.gov.au
The Committee will inquire into the strategic implications of COVID19 for Australia’s foreign affairs, defence and trade.
16 Sep 2020: Canberra15 Sep 2020: Canberra02 Sep 2020: Canberra
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