Chapter 2Hearings
2.1This chapter lists the key topics discussed for each department and agency examined during the committee's hearings for Additional Estimates 2024–25. The discussion follows the outcome and agency structure.
Employment and Workplace Relations portfolio – Wednesday 26 February 2025
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
2.2Senator the Hon Murray Watt, the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, was joined by Ms Natalie James, Secretary of the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR).
2.3The committee commenced its examination of DEWR by considering cross-portfolio, corporate and enabling services, and general matters.
Cross-portfolio, Corporate and Enabling Services, and general matters
2.4The committee discussed the following topics:
wage underpayments at the department and audits of payroll systems;
the right to disconnect for departmental staff; and
correspondence between DEWR and the CFMEU and its representatives.
Outcome 3: Workplace Relations
2.5The committee discussed the following topics under Outcome 3: Workplace Relations:
the Secure Jobs, Better Pay Act review;
differences in powers between the abolished Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) and the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman;
wage growth since 2022 and the protection of penalty rates;
the use of artificial intelligence in benefit payment systems;
portable leave entitlements;
the Review of the Fair Work Act Small Claims Procedure;
the appointment of the new Chair of Safe Work Australia;
the relationship between the department and the CFMEU administration;
Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Legislation and related matters; and
public train service disruptions in Sydney due to industrial action.
Outcome 1: Employment
2.6The committee called officers in relation to Outcome 1: Employment and discussed a range of matters including computer errors in the Targeted Compliance Framework leading to welfare recipients having their payments wrongfully cut off. Ms James made a statement apologising to these participants:
I absolutely and unreservedly apologise on behalf of the department that we cannot have full confidence in this system delivering what it's intended to deliver. It's not acceptable, and it is my responsibility and not the minister's, in this respect, although he may wish to add his own commentary. But I will say that I am responsible, legislatively and administratively, for overseeing this process.
2.7Other matters discussed by the committee included:
the Pacific and Labour Mobility Scheme (PALM):
changes to mandatory minimum hours;
accommodation for workers and DEWR/local government area discussions in Tasmania;
assessment and accreditation of individuals coming into Australia under the scheme;
the Parents Pathway Program; and
the impact on engagement when mutual obligations are paused for jobseekers.
Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman
2.8The committee called officers from the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman and discussed the following matters:
investigations into underpayments of black coal miners;
prosecutions commenced and site visits undertaken since acquiring the powers of the ABCC;
the right to disconnect education material; and
investigations into wage theft at universities.
Fair Work Commission
2.9The committee called officers from the Fair Work Commission and examined the following topics:
the monitoring of the administration of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union; and
the right to disconnect.
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
Outcome 2: Skills and Training (including Jobs and Skills Australia)
2.10The committee called officers from DEWR in relation to Outcome 2: Skills and Training (including Jobs and Skills Australia) and examined the following matters:
utilisation and outcomes of the Free TAFE initiative;
the Strategic review of the Australian apprenticeship system;
collaboration between Jobs and Skills Australia and the future Australian Tertiary Education Commission;
the new Energy Apprenticeships Program; and
increasing female participation in male-dominated apprenticeships.
Australian Skills Quality Authority
2.11The committee called officers from the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) and Ms Saxon Rice, Chief Executive Officer of ASQA, gave an update on the registration cancellation and compliance investigation of Luvium Pty Ltd:
… I advised the committee about action that ASQA had taken to cancel the registration of a registered training organisation, Luvium Pty Ltd, which was trading as Australia Education & Career College. That was following an extensive compliance investigation, and the subsequent action to consider the legitimacy of more than 8,700 qualifications and/or statements of attainment issued by Luvium to more than 7,300 individuals.
…
ASQA communicated directly with all of the individuals concerned, and they were given the opportunity to demonstrate to ASQA that the relevant provider had delivered the training and/or assessment necessary for them to achieve or confirm the learning outcomes or competencies required prior to being issued with certification.
…
None of the individuals who responded to ASQA's notice of intent to cancel their qualifications were able to demonstrate that the relevant provider delivered the necessary training or assessment to them prior to being issued certification. This resulted in our cancellation of more than 21,000 qualifications and/or statements of attainment between November 2024 and January 2025. We continue to work with government agencies, state and territory governments and other regulators to determine the impact of qualification cancellations on affected individuals and any workplaces affected.
2.12The committee also discussed the decision to cancel the registration of Barkly International College.
Education portfolio – Thursday 27 February 2025
2.13Senator the Hon Anthony Chisholm, the Assistant Minister for Education, Assistant Minister for Regional Development, and Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, representing the Minister for Education was joined by Mr Tony Cook PSM, Secretary of the Department of Education.
Department of Education
2.14The committee commenced its examination of the Education portfolio by considering matter under Corporate and Enabling Services.
Corporate and Enabling Services
2.15Topics discussed included:
the pro-Palestinian protest at Granville Boys High School;
funded programs and organisations under Program 1.5 and Program 2.3;
transcripts of ministers' press conferences;
the use of consultants and contractors at the department;
Labor's election commitment of 20 per cent reduction of debt in the Higher Education Loan Program; and
the use of departmental credit cards.
Outcome 1: Schools
2.16In relation to Outcome 1: Schools, the committee examined the following matters:
Education Ministers Meetings;
funding for and changes in enrolment numbers between non-Government and Government schools;
actions the Department has taken in relation to Brindabella Christian College;
bullying policies at non-Government schools;
attendance rate for the Good to Great Schools program;
Capacity to Contribute methodology;
bilateral funding agreements;
comments made by the Principal of New Madinah College;
funding for student tutoring; and
the Productivity Commission review into the National School Reform Agreement.
Australian Education Research Organisation
2.17The committee called officers from the Australian Education Research Organisation and discussed the following topics:
preparation of the 2025 Workplan;
findings from the report A knowledge-rich approach to curriculum design, published in 2024.
Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership Limited
2.18The committee called officers from the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership Limited (AITSL) and examined the following matters:
workforce projections;
teaching standards; and
AITSL social media campaigns.
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority
2.19The committee called officers from the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority and discussed the following topics:
declining levels of civics and citizenship knowledge of school students;
review of the curriculum; and
the implementation of the curriculum on a state-by-state basis.
Department of Education
Outcome 1: Early Childhood and Youth
2.20The committee called officers from the department in relation to Outcome 1: Early Childhood and Youth and examined the following matters:
the worker retention grant program;
the integrity of the Child Care Subsidy payment;
the Three Day Guarantee;
the closure of the Windsor Community Children's Centre;
the $1 billion Building Early Education Fund;
the Productivity Commission's report: A path to universal early childhood education and care; and
changes to average hourly fees for early childhood education.
Outcome 2: Higher Education, Research and International
2.21The committee called officers from the department in relation to Higher Education, Research and International and discussed the following topics:
the Australian Tertiary Education Council;
the suspension of the research grant awarded to Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah;
universities adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism;
82,000 Commonwealth Supported Places;
over- and under-enrolments at universities;
Regional and Suburban University Study Hubs; and
Fee-Free Uni Ready Courses.
Australian National University
2.22The committee called officers form the Australian National University and discussed the following topics:
the plan to reduce staff expenditure;
International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance and recently adopted Go8 and UA definitions of antisemitism; and
procurement processes at the university.
Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency
2.23The committee called officers from the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency and examined the following matters:
the recruitment process for the Chief Commissioner; and
the use of regulatory powers in relation to student safety on campus.
Australian Research Council
2.24The committee called officers from the Australian Research Council and discussed the following topics:
the suspension of Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah's grant; and
timeframes for grant applications.
Senator Tony Sheldon
Chair
Senator for New South Wales