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
