Chapter 2Public hearings

2.1This chapter lists the key topics discussed for each department and agency examined during the committee's hearings for Additional Estimates 2023–24.

2.2Page numbers of the Proof Hansard transcript for that day's hearing are indicated in brackets as a reference.

Parliamentary departments—Monday 12 February 2024

Parliamentary Budget Office

2.3The committee discussed the forecasting of the overseas development assistance budget (pp. 3–4) with the Parliamentary Budget Office.

Department of the Senate

2.4Topics discussed with the Department of the Senate included:

Number of Senators' Services requests and budgeting for maintenance (pp.4–6);

Current contracts and tendering processes (p. 6); and

Demand for, and capacity of, legislative drafting services (pp. 7–8).

Department of Parliamentary Services

2.5Topics discussed with the Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) included:

Australian Network on Disability review of the new Accessibility and Inclusion Action Plan for Australian Parliament House (APH) (pp. 8–11);

Parliamentary Health and Wellbeing Service feasibility study (pp. 11–13, 17–18);

Electric vehicle chargers at APH (pp. 13–14);

Rollout of Information Communication Technology projects including modern telephony (pp. 14–16);

DPS staff survey and rates of bullying and harassment with a focus on the Parliamentary Library (pp. 16–17);

DPS Senior Executive Service (SES) staffing arrangements and role restructuring (pp. 19–20, 27);

Display and restoration of the Magna Carta (pp. 20, 25–26, 29);

Sponsored passes and guidelines around meeting room use (pp. 21–22);

Entry to APH for a woman wearing a Keffiyeh (pp. 22–24);

Access to and use of the APH theatrette for community organisations and the public (pp. 24–25);

Establishment of a space in the Senate wing for Indigenous Elders (p. 26); and

Art services and purchases (pp. 27–28).

PM&C portfolio—Monday 12 February 2024

Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General

2.6Topics discussed with the Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General included:

Australia Day Honours for both general and military divisions (pp. 31–33);

Management of the appointment of the Official Secretary to the board of the Learning for a Better World Trust as a potential conflict of interest (pp. 33–35);

Process for the appointment of a new Governor-General (pp. 35, 37–38);

Provision of portraits of the King (pp. 35–36); and

Staffing levels and applicable workplace legislation (pp. 36–37).

Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

Outcome 1: Provide high quality advice and support to the Prime Minister, the Cabinet, Portfolio Ministers and Assistant Ministers including through coordination of government activities, policy development and program delivery.

2.7Topics discussed with the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (PMC) under Outcome 1 included:

High Court NZYQ decision and subsequent events (pp. 39–44, 46–50);

Australian participation in military operations over Yemen and in the Red Sea (pp. 45–46);

Prime Minister overseas travel and Deputy Prime Minister acting period (pp. 50–51);

Net Zero Economy Agency (pp. 51–53);

Cost of living policy, taxation, and housing affordability measures (pp. 53–68);

Israeli plans for a military operation in Rafah (p. 65);

Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) special summit (pp. 68–70);

Appointment of a new Governor-General (pp. 70–72);

Independent Review of Commonwealth funding for strategic policy work (pp. 73–76);

Chinese Navy use of active sonar near HMAS Toowoomba navy divers (pp. 77–80);

Australian citizens who have had bounties place on them by Hong Kong authorities (pp. 80–81);

Communication from the Prime Minister to Hong Kong authorities (p. 81);

Australia-European Union Free Trade Agreement (pp. 80–83);

PMC's role in relation to preventing antisemitism (pp. 83–84);

Australian involvement in Red Sea military operations (pp. 85–88);

Support and funding for Ukraine (pp. 88–89);

Parliamentary Sitting Calendar (pp. 89–91);

Contents and timing of answers to questions on notice (pp. 91–94);

Travel allowances and arrangements for the Secretary (pp. 95–97); and

Freedom of Information decisions and requests (pp. 97–99).

Office of National Intelligence

2.8Topics discussed with the Office of National Intelligence (ONI) included:

Threat that climate change poses to national security (pp. 100–104);

Concerns over Australian RNA research (pp. 104–105);

Independent Review of Commonwealth funding for strategic policy work (pp. 105–106); and

ONI analysis and assessments of the Middle East and Africa (pp. 106–107).

Finance portfolio—Monday 12 February 2024

Outcome 2: Support an efficient and high-performing public sector through providing leadership to Commonwealth entities in ongoing improvements to public sector governance, including through systems, frameworks, policy, advice and service delivery

Program 2.1 – Public Sector Governance (Electoral Policy only—SMOS responsibility)

Outcome 3: Support for Parliamentarians and others as required by the Australian Government through the delivery of and advice on, work expenses and allowances, entitlements and targeted programs

Department of Finance (SMOS)

2.9Topics discussed with the Department of Finance under Outcome 3 included:

Parliamentary Expenses Management System (pp. 112–115);

Progress on the establishment of the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service (PWSS) (pp. 115–116); and

Government Staffing Committee decisions and membership (pp. 116–118).

Australian Electoral Commission

2.10Topics discussed with the Australian Electoral Commission included:

Publication of incorrect enrolment projection data for Victoria (pp. 119– 123);

Reporting on instances of multiple voting (pp. 123–124);

Appointment of a new Electoral Commissioner (pp. 124–125);

Penalties for non-voters (pp. 125–126); and

Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters electoral reform recommendations (p. 128).

Parliamentary Workplace Support Service

2.11The committee discussed staffing levels and composition (pp. 130–132) and the implementation of recommendations from the Jenkins review with the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service.

Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority

2.12The committee discussed the delay and issues arising from the deployment of an updated Parliamentary Expenses Management System (pp. 132–134) with the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority.

PM&C portfolio continued—Tuesday 13 February 2024

PMC (Office for Women) and Workplace Gender Equality Agency

2.13Topics discussed with the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet under the Office for Women and for the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) included:

Jenkins report implementation, parliamentary calendar and school holidays (pp. 3–5);

Stage three tax cuts and relevant analysis undertaken by Office for Women (pp. 6–9, 14–16);

National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children (pp. 9–11);

Work on establishing the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission (pp. 11–12);

Women's Economic Equality Taskforce, advice on gender equal take up on parental leave (pp. 12–14, 16);

Right to disconnect legislation (pp. 16–17, 18–21);

WGEA's publication of employer-specific gender pay gap data (pp. 17–18).

Australian Public Service Commission

2.14Topics discussed with the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) included:

Australian Government Consulting role and accountability mechanisms (pp. 22–26);

Australian Public Service (APS) staffing levels and enterprise bargaining agreements (pp. 26–30);

Measuring productivity in the APS (pp. 30–32);

Turnover and contract negotiations for Senior Executive Service and agency heads (pp. 32–36);

Workload in relation to reviews under the APS Code of Conduct (pp. 36–41);

Impact of the right to disconnect legislation on APS staff (pp. 42–43); and

Staff satisfaction as indicated by census results (pp. 43–44).

Finance portfolio continued—Tuesday 13 February 2024

Department of Finance

Outcome 1: Support sustainable Australia Government finances through providing high quality policy advice and operational support to the government and Commonwealth entities to maintain effective and efficient use of public resources.

Outcome 2: Support an efficient and high-performing public sector through providing leadership to Commonwealth entities in ongoing improvements to public sector governance, including through systems, frameworks, policy advice, service delivery, and managing, acquiring and divesting government investments.

2.15Topics discussed with the Department of Finance under Outcomes 1 and 2 included:

Whole of Government Property Service Providers (pp. 48–54);

Revisions to stage 3 tax cut arrangements (pp. 54–57);

Decisions taken but not yet announced in the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) (pp. 57–61, 68–71);

Procurement and utilisation of consultants and contractors (pp. 61–68, 87–89);

Savings measures for the NDIS (pp. 71–74);

Reprioritisations in MYEFO (pp. 74–75);

APS net zero strategy—environmental and sustainability measures for Commonwealth car fleet and Finance building (pp. 75–78, 80–81, 89–92);

International Monetary Fund report on inflation (pp. 78–79);

Parliamentary Expenses Management System (pp. 82–83); and

Revitalised regulatory reform agenda (pp. 83–87).

ASC Pty Ltd

2.16Topics discussed with ASC Pty Ltd (ASC) included:

Early careers program (p. 93);

Collins class submarine life of type extension and future submarine program (pp. 93–99, 104–105, 105–107);

Remuneration of ASC Managing Director & CEO Mr Stuart Whiley (pp. 100–102); and

Sovereign Shipbuilding Talent Pool (pp. 103–104).

Australian Naval Infrastructure Pty Ltd

2.17The committee discussed the Osborne Naval Shipyard (pp. 107–110) and capability requirements for Henderson Shipbuilding Operations (pp. 110–111) with Australian Naval Infrastructure Pty Ltd.

Future Fund Management Agency

2.18Topics discussed with the Future Fund Management Agency (FFMA) included:

Selection of a new Chair (pp. 112–113);

Investment guidelines, policies, and decisions in relation to Net Zero 2050 (pp. 114, 116–117);

Internal analysis of inflation longevity in Australia (pp. 114–115);

Investment guidelines, policies, and decisions in relation to alcohol, tobacco, and gambling (pp. 117–118); and

Investments in Elbeit Systems (pp. 120–122).

Digital Transformation Agency

2.19Topics discussed with the Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) included:

APS management of artificial intelligence opportunities and security concerns (pp. 122–123); and

Ongoing projects and the release of digital project data (pp. 124–126).

Australian National Audit Office

2.20Topics discussed with the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) included:

Auditing of the Victorian Suburban Rail Loop project (pp. 127–129);

Performance audit of the APSC (pp. 129–130); and

Performance audit of the Parliamentary Expenses Management Systems (pp. 131–134).

Indigenous Matters Cross-portfolio—Friday 16 February 2024

National Indigenous Australians Agency

2.21Topics discussed with the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) included:

Timing of the return of answers to questions on notice to the committee (pp. 5–6);

Update on the progress of a Makarrata Commission (pp. 6–7, 10–);

Youpla Support Program (pp. 7–10);

Funding for Walgett River Rangers Program (p. 10);

Federal Truth and Treaty progress since the Voice to Parliament referendum outcome (pp. 10–13, 33–34);

Proportion of Indigenous Advancement Strategy expenditure to non-Indigenous organisations (pp. 13–14);

Closing the Gap implementation plan, shared decision-making priority reform (pp. 14–15);

Remote Jobs and Economic Development Program (pp. 15–16, 18–20);

Funding adequacy for sea wall infrastructure projects in the Torres Strait (p.16);

Closing the Gap implementation plan progress (pp. 16–18);

A Better, Safer Future for Central Australia Plan (pp. 21–22, 25–30);

Empowered Communities (pp. 22–23);

Yalari scholarships (p. 23);

Deaths in custody (pp. 23–25, 34–35);

Central Australian Regional Controller (p. 30);

Indigenous Advancement Strategy funding (pp. 30–31);

Domestic and family violence prevention (pp. 31–33);

Instances of fraud and non-compliance (pp. 36–37); and

Yipirinya School (pp. 37–38).

Anindilyakwa, Central, Northern, and Tiwi Land Councils

2.22Topics discussed with the Anindilyakwa Land Council (ALC), Central Land Council, Northern Land Council (NLC), and Tiwi Land Council (TLC) included:

Responses to ANAO audit report of the Anindilyakwa Land Council (pp. 41–43);

Processing times and statistics for Section 19 Land Use Agreements (pp. 41–42);

Resourcing and election of board and council members (p. 43);

Fraud investigations and conflicts of interest (pp. 43–44, 45–46);

Winchelsea mine and occurrences of neurodegenerative diseases on Groot Island (pp. 44–45, 47);

NLC operational costs (p. 46);

ALC governance compliance measures (pp. 46–47, 49–50);

TLC governance and compliance measures (pp. 47–48); and

Domestic violence prevention programs (pp. 48–49).

Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council and Torres Strait Regional Authority

2.23Topics discussed with Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council and Torres Strait Regional Authority included:

Sea wall construction adaptation measures in the Torres Strait (pp. 51–52); and

Transfer of lease agreements resulting from the Aboriginal Land Grant (Jervis Bay Territory) Amendment (Strengthening Land and Governance Provisions) Bill 2022 (pp. 52–53).

Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations

2.24The committee discussed the status and determinations of investigations into reporting obligations (pp. 54–57) with the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations.

Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation

2.25Topic discussed with the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) included:

Ayers Rock Resort acquisition price and profitability during COVID-19 (pp. 57–58); and

Status of ILSC debt and plans for rectification (pp. 58–60).

Indigenous Business Australia and Northern Territory Aboriginal Investment Corporation

2.26Topics discussed with Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) and the Northern Territory Aboriginal Investment Corporation (NTAIC) included:

Crossover between NTAIC and IBA portfolio and activities (pp. 61–63);

NTAIC employee information including staffing levels and locations (pp. 63–64); and

Status of NTAIC grant funding agreements and decision-making processes for approving grants (pp. 64–65).

Senator Louise Pratt

Chair