The Foreign Affairs and Aid subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade tabled its report titled ‘Supporting democracy in our region'.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 16 November 2023

The Foreign Affairs and Aid subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade this morning tabled its report titled ‘Supporting democracy in our region’. The Chair of the subcommittee, Mr Josh Burns MP, said ‘This is an important bipartisan report that considers how Australia can partner with countries in our region to promote democracy and the international rules-based order. ‘This report recommends how Australia’s national interests and foreign policy pursuits can be strengthened by aligning with local priorities, enhancing both countries institutions and building on strong bilateral relationships to promote democracy in our region. ‘Ultimately, stronger partnerships build capacity to resist regression of democratic norms and ideals that has been eroding the effectiveness of the international framework that has served our region for many years.’ Recommendations include: Increased funding for the Australian Electoral Commission to develop long-term partnerships with electoral bodies in the Indo-Pacific who request assistance with elections Establishing a media broadcasting capacity and support building program for the region that facilitates training and development both in Australia and in our neighbouring countries Establishing a Women in Parliament program to strengthen partnerships with women in the region Establishing a central Civil Society Organisation Hub within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to help coordinate development delivery in the region. This report makes eight recommendations in total and can be found on the inquiry's website. Media inquiries Alissa Foster, Media Adviser, for Mr Josh Burns MP (Member for Macnamara; Chair, Foreign Affairs and Aid Subcommittee) Mobile: 0451 131 554 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2313 jscfadt@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. 

The Foreign Affairs and Aid subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT) will hold a public hearing for its inquiry into supporting democracy in our region on Friday 10 March 2023.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 9 March 2023

The Foreign Affairs and Aid subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT) will hold a public hearing for its inquiry into supporting democracy in our region this Friday 10 March 2023. The Chair of the subcommittee, Mr Josh Burns MP, said ‘The committee looks forward to hearing from various stakeholders in relation to how Australia can best provide support for stability, democracy, and good governance in the Indo-Pacific region.’ ‘A robust electoral system is important for a functioning democracy. Australia provides electoral assistance to several countries in our region. The committee looks forward to receiving evidence from the Australian Electoral Commission on this topic in addition to hearing from aid agencies, academics and think tanks on other measures that promote democracy and the international rules-based order.’ Submissions to this inquiry are still open and can be lodged online using a My Parliament account. Further information in relation to the inquiry is available on the inquiry website. Public hearing details Date: Friday, 10 March 2023 Time: 9:00am – 3:00pm AEDT Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra Live stream: the hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live The program can be found here. Media inquiries Ariel Zohar, Media Adviser, for Mr Josh Burns MP (Member for Macnamara; Chair, Foreign Affairs and Aid Subcommittee) Mobile: 0425 872 296 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 this Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

The importance of strengthening the electoral processes of Australia’s regional neighbours will be examined this week at a public hearing held by the Foreign Affairs and Aid Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT).

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 30 November 2022

The importance of strengthening the electoral processes of Australia’s regional neighbours will be examined this week at a public hearing held by the Foreign Affairs and Aid Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT). The Subcommittee will hear from the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) in relation to its inquiry into supporting democracy in our region. The Chair of the Subcommittee, Mr Josh Burns MP, said the Subcommittee ‘looks forward to hearing from International IDEA, an intergovernmental organisation that supports sustainable democracy around the world. ‘Electoral assistance is one element that the Subcommittee will focus on throughout this inquiry. The Subcommittee will use this opportunity to identify how best to support our neighbours in promoting strong electoral processes and, as a result, encouraging democratic participation.’ Submissions to this inquiry close on Friday 16 December 2022. Submissions should be lodged online using a My Parliament account. Further information in relation to the inquiry is available on the inquiry website. Public hearing details Date: Thursday, 1 December 2022 Time: 11:30am – 12:30pm Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live. Media inquiries Ariel Zohar, Media Adviser, Josh Burns MP (Member for Macnamara; Chair, Foreign Affairs and Aid Subcommittee) Ph: 0425 872 296 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.

How Australia supports democracy in our region will be examined in a new parliamentary inquiry.

Media release issue date: Tuesday, 11 October 2022

How Australia supports democracy in our region will be examined in a new parliamentary inquiry. The inquiry was referred by the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Hon Penny Wong, on 28 September to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT) with the following Terms of Reference. The JSCFADT has tasked the Foreign Affairs and Aid Subcommittee to undertake this inquiry. Chair of the Foreign Affairs and Aid Subcommittee Mr Josh Burns MP noted that “I am looking forward to leading this inquiry and hearing from expert witnesses about how we can support the role of civil society organisations working toward equitable participation in democracy and an open, free and independent media sector”. “I encourage interested individuals and organisations to make submissions focused on Australia’s long-term interest in the region, and our common connection through shared democratic values, liberty, human rights and rules-based systems”. The Committee requests initial submissions addressing the terms of reference to this inquiry by Friday, 11 November 2022. Further information in relation to the inquiry is available from the JCFADT’s website. Media inquiries Ariel Zohar, Media Adviser, Josh Burns MP (Member for Macnamara; Chair, Foreign Affairs and Aid Subcommittee) Ph: 0425 872 296 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.