Chapter 1Overview
1.1The Senate Economics Legislation Committee (the committee) is responsible for examining the expenditure and outcomes of the Treasury and Industry, Science and Resources Portfolios (Industry Portfolio).
Report structure
1.2This report is structured as follows:
Chapter 1—provides an overview of the committee’s hearings;
Chapter 2—reports on the key issues considered by the committee during the hearings; and
Appendix 1—lists the documents tabled and additional information provided during the committee’s hearings.
1.3This report does not seek to comprehensively analyse the evidence provided to the committee, rather the report is intended to inform the Senate of the key, high level issues considered by the committee during the course of the hearings. References in this report are to the proof Committee Hansard. Page numbers may vary between the proof and final versions of the Committee Hansard.
Documents Referred
1.4The Portfolio Budget Statements (PBS) for the Treasury Portfolio and Industry Portfolio were tabled in the Senate on 9 May 2023.
1.5On 9 May 2023, the Senate referred the following documents to the committee for examination and report in relation to the abovementioned portfolios:
Particulars of proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending 30 June 2024;
Particulars of certain proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending 30 June 2024;
Particulars of proposed expenditure in relation to the parliamentary departments in respect of the year ending 30 June 2024;
Particulars of proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending 30 June 2024 [Supply Bill (No. 3) 2023–24];
Particulars of proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending 30 June 2024 [Supply Bill (No. 4) 2023–24]; and
Particulars of proposed expenditure in relation to the parliamentary departments in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2024 [Supply (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 2) 2023–24].
Budget estimates hearings
1.6To facilitate the examination of expenditure and outcomes, the Senate agreed to 30 and 31 May, and 1 and 2 June 2023 as the dates for the committee to hold its 2023–24 Budget Estimates hearings.
1.7The agencies that appeared before the committee are included in Chapter 2. The following agencies were scheduled to appear before the committee on 30 May 2023, but were released without questioning:
Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC);
National Housing Finance and Investments Commission (NHFIC); and
Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO).
1.8The following agencies were scheduled to appear before the committee on 31 May 2023, but were released without questioning:
Australian Reinsurance Pool Corporation (ARPC);
National Competition Council (NCC); and
Commonwealth Grants Commission (CGC).
1.9The following agencies were scheduled to appear before the committee on 1 June 2023, but were released without questioning:
Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR)—Outcome 1: Program 1.2 Investing in Science, technology, and commercialisation; and
Office of the Chief Scientist.
1.10Evidence was provided at the hearings by the following Ministers:
Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher, representing the Treasurer; and
Senator the Hon Tim Ayres, representing the Minister for Industry and Science and the Minister for Resources.
1.11Evidence was also provided by senior executive officers of the Treasury Portfolio led by the Secretary, Dr Steven Kennedy PSM at the hearing on Tuesday, 30 May 2023. The Industry Portfolio was led by Secretary, Ms Meghan Quinn PSM.
1.12At the invitation of the committee, Mr Philip Lowe, Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), provided evidence at the hearing on Wednesday, 31 May 2023.
1.13The committee thanks the Ministers and departmental representatives who provided evidence at the committee’s estimates hearings.
1.14A copy of the committee’s Hansard transcript is available on the committee website.
1.15A list of documents tabled during the committee’s hearings is available at Appendix 1. A copy of documents tabled are published on the committee’s estimates webpage.
Public interest immunity claims (PII Claim)
1.16On 13 May 2009, the Senate agreed to an order relating to public interest immunity (PII) claims. 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 the departments and agencies and was incorporated in the Chair’s opening statement at the commencement of each hearing.
1.17During the examination of the Australian Radioactive Waste Agency (ARWA), Senator Barbara Pocock asked questions about the price paid for the property that will host a radioactive waste storage facility in South Australia. Whilst noting that this acquisition was subject to a confidentiality agreement, the Chief Executive of ARWA, Mr Sam Usher stated that the purchase complied with the department’s procurement guidelines which stipulate that such purchases should not exceed four times the value of the land. Mr Usher stated that ARWA had sought an independent valuation to arrive at this figure. When pressed, Mr Usher said he was not able to provide a precise figure due to this confidentiality arrangement.
1.18Later in the evening, Senator David Shoebridge continued with this line of questioning asking for a precise figure from ARWA. Mr Usher responded with a similar answer. Senator Shoebridge pushed for an answer noting that if the information was not provided then a public interest immunity claim should be made in accordance with the Senate Standing Order’s. The Minister directed Mr Usher to take this question on notice and return to the committee with a claim if appropriate. The matter was not pursued any further.
Questions on notice
1.19In accordance with standing order 26(9)(a), the committee fixed 14 July 2023 as the date for the receipt of answers to question taken on notice (QoNs).
1.20Answers to QoNs and additional information provided to the Committee are tabled in the Senate and uploaded to the committee’s estimates webpage when they become available.
1.21The Senate determined that the committee would report on its considerations of the 2023–24 proposed Budget expenditure on 27 June 2023.
1.22As the committee is required to report to the Senate before all answers to questions are due, this report has been prepared without reference to any QoN answers.