Chapter 1


Overview

1.1        On 2 April 2019, the Senate referred the following documents to the Economics Legislation Committee (the committee) for examination and report in relation to the Treasury portfolio and the Industry, Innovation and Science portfolio:

  • Particulars of proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2020 [Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2019–2020];
  • Particulars of certain proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2020 [Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2019–2020]; and
  • Particulars of proposed expenditure in relation to the parliamentary departments in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2020 [Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2019–2020].[1]

1.2        The committee is required to report to the Senate on its consideration of 2019–20 Budget Estimates on 14 May 2019.[2]

Portfolio allocation

1.3        The committee has responsibility for examining the expenditure and outcomes of the Treasury portfolio and the Industry, Innovation and Science portfolio.[3]

Portfolio Budget Statements 2019–20

1.4        The Portfolio Budget Statements (PBS) 2019–20 for the Treasury portfolio and the Industry, Innovation and Science portfolio were tabled in the Senate on 2 April 2019.[4]

Hearings

1.5        The committee held hearings on 5 and 10 April 2019 to hear from the Department of the Treasury and the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science in relation to all outcomes, as well as from relevant portfolio agencies.

1.6        The following outcomes and agencies appeared before the committee for the Treasury portfolio:

  • Department of the Treasury—Macroeconomic Group and Corporate Group;
  • Department of the Treasury—Fiscal Group; 
  • Department of the Treasury—Markets Group;
  • Department of the Treasury—Revenue Group;  
  • Australian Taxation Office;
  • Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission;
  • Inspector-General of Taxation;
  • Productivity Commission; and
  • Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

1.7        The following outcomes and agencies appeared before the committee for the Industry, Innovation and Science portfolio:

  • Department of Industry, Innovation and Science—Program 3: Cross-portfolio;
  • Department of Industry, Innovation and Science—Program 1: Supporting Science and Commercialisation; and
  • Department of Industry, Innovation and Science—Program 2: Growing Business Investment and Improving Business Capability.

1.8        Documents tabled during the hearings are listed in Appendix 1.

1.9        The committee thanks the Ministers and officers who attended the hearings for their assistance.

Questions on notice

1.10      In accordance with Standing Order 26, the committee has drawn the attention of the departments and their agencies to the agreed deadline of Thursday, 30 May 2019 for the receipt of answers to questions taken on notice.

1.11      As the committee is required to report to the Senate before responses to questions are due, this report has been prepared without reference to any of these responses.

1.12      Responses to questions on notice and additional information provided to the committee are tabled in the Senate and uploaded to the committee's website.

Public interest immunity claims

1.13      On 13 May 2009, the Senate passed an order relating to public interest immunity claims.[5] The order sets out the processes to be followed if a witness declines to answer a question. The full text of this order has previously been provided to departments and agencies and was incorporated in the Chair's opening statement at the commencement of each hearing.

Record of proceedings

1.14      This report does not attempt to analyse the evidence presented to the committee over the four days of hearings. However, it does include a brief explanation of the main issues that were raised during the examination of each portfolio.

1.15      Copies of the Hansard transcripts and documents tabled at the hearings are available on the committee's website.[6]

Note on Hansard page referencing

1.16      Hansard references throughout this report relate to the Proof Estimates Hansard. Please note page numbering may differ between the proof and official Hansard.

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