Inquiry into certain aspects of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Annual Report 2019-20

Under its resolution of appointment, the Committee is able to undertake inquiries into annual reports of various agencies.

Two Sub-committees examined the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Annual Report 2019-20.

Foreign Affairs and Aid Sub-committee

  • Australia's response to the coup in Myanmar

Human Rights Sub-committee

  • Child and forced marriage
  • Roundtable: Foreign interference within Australia diasporas
  • Roundtable: Conflict in Ethiopia and effect on diaspora communities in Australia

Further details about these inquiries and activities are available below:

  • Australia's response to the coup in Myanmar

    The Foreign Affairs and Aid Sub-committee held a public hearing on 13 April to consider issues in Myanmar.

    Information on the hearing has been included in media releases issued on 26 March 2021 and on 12 April 2021. A further public hearing was held on 13 May.

    On 24 June 2021, the Committee tabled its report, Australia's response to the coup in Myanmaras an interim report for the inquiry into certain aspects of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Annual Report 2019-20

  • Child and forced marriage

    The Human Rights Sub-committee canvassed matters relating to child and forced marriage.

    Public hearings were held in Canberra on 18 June and 25 August 2021.

    The inquiry webpage is available here.

    On 2 December 2021, the Committee tabled its report, Advocating for the elimination of child and forced marriage, as an interim report for the inquiry into certain aspects of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Annual Report 2019-20.

  • Roundtable: Foreign interference within Australian diasporas

    On 13 September 2021, the Human Right Sub-committee held a roundtable to hear concerns regarding interference by foreign governments, including instances concerning international students enrolled in Australian educational institutions.

    On 30 March 2022, the Committee tabled its report entitled First periodic report on Human Rights as its Final report into certain aspects of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Annual Report 2019–20.

  • Roundtable: Conflict in Ethiopia and effect on diaspora communities in Australia

    On 10 November 2021, the Human Right Sub-committee held a roundtable focused on human rights abuses in Ethiopia, and the effect of the Tigray War on members of diaspora communities in Australia.

    On 30 March 2022, the Committee tabled its report entitled First periodic report on Human Rights as its Final report into certain aspects of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Annual Report 2019–20.

Committee Secretariat contact:

Committee Secretary
Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade
PO Box 6021
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

Phone: +61 2 6277 2313
jscfadt@aph.gov.au

Related resources and links

About this inquiry

On 24 February 2021, the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade adopted an inquiry into the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Annual Report 2019-20.



Past Public Hearings

10 Nov 2021: Canberra
13 Sep 2021: Canberra

more...

Inquiry Status

Report Tabled

Accessibility

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