Chapter 2Public hearings
2.1This chapter lists the key topics discussed for each department and agency examined during the committee's hearings for Budget Estimates 2024–25.
2.2Page numbers of the Proof Hansard transcript for each agency's appearance are included in footnotes for reference.
Parliamentary departments—Tuesday 28 May 2024
Department of the Senate
2.3Topics discussed with the Department of the Senate included:
Procedural and practical matters arising from the provision of answers to questions on notice
Protections for witnesses appearing before Senate committees
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) document titled 'Approaches to SEQoNs asked of all (or multiple) agencies'
Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)
Staffing and resourcing
Parliamentary Budget Office
2.4The committee thanked Mr Stein Helgeby, the outgoing Parliamentary Budget Officer, for his service to the parliament.
Department of Parliamentary Services
2.5Topics discussed with the Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) included:
Staffing and executive remuneration
Electric vehicle charging infrastructure
Departmental culture and staff satisfaction
Incentive to retire processes for Senior Executive Service (SES) staff
Process for the disclosure of conflicts of interest
Accessibility of Australian Parliament House
Implementation of the Jenkins Review recommendations
Remuneration of technical and trade staff, and use of contractors
Restoration and display of the Magna Carta
Cyber security posture of DPS systems
Use of generative AI
Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio—Tuesday 28 May 2024
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.
2.6Topics discussed with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) under Outcome 1 included:
Deportation of individuals with poor character and Ministerial Direction 99
DPMC document titled 'Approaches to SEQoNs asked of all (or multiple) agencies'
Future Made in Australia Plan
NDIS Review Panel secretariat support
Progress of election commitments - Cabinet Subcommittee
Public holiday flexibility and how this is recorded
Staffing budget and average staffing level
Engagement with external consultants or contractors regarding preparation for Senate Estimates
Travel and working arrangements for the DPMC Secretary
Messaging and communication platforms used by DPMC staff and recordkeeping
Chair and Advisory Board membership for the future Net Zero Economy Authority
Use of generative AI
Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio—Wednesday 29 May 2024
Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General
2.7Topics discussed with the Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General included:
Processes for making honourees aware of honours
Management of the register of gifts
Management of the Governor-General's residences
Australian National Audit Office
2.8Topics discussed with the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) included:
The process for initiating an audit
Audits of Indigenous portfolio bodies
The process for the development of the work program
Publication of the corporate plan
Forthcoming audits of DPMC and the National Disability Insurance Agency
Use of generative AI
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Outcome 1 continued.
2.9Topics discussed with DPMC under Outcome 1 included:
Australian Government support of Ukraine
Prime Minister and ministerial level engagement with Chinese counterparts regarding the People's Liberation Army Navy sonar incident with the Royal Australian Navy
Independent Review of Commonwealth funding for strategic policy work
Allocation of staff to the processing of Freedom of information requests
Mental health and suicide prevention Budget measures
Office of National Intelligence
2.10Topics discussed with the Office of National Intelligence (ONI) included:
Presence and activity of foreign intelligence operatives in Australia
People's Liberation Army activity in the Taiwan Strait
The threat and use of generative AI in the security space
Threat assessments of climate change and its potential impact on military bases in northern Australia
National Australia Day Council
2.11The committee discussed grant programs over the forward estimates with the National Australia Day Council.
Finance portfolio—Wednesday 29 May 2024
Department of Finance Outcomes 2.1 and 3 (SMOS)
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
2.12Topics discussed with the Department of Finance under Outcome 2 (Electoral Policy) and Outcome 3 included:
Machinery of government changes for the Parliamentary Workplace Support Services (PWSS)
Implementation of the new Parliamentary Expenses Management System
Change of Senators payroll from monthly to fortnightly cycles
Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 Act enterprise agreement bargaining progress
Electoral reform and the use of generative AI
Expenses and freedom of information requests under the Parliamentary Business Resources Act2017
Budget allocation and staffing allocation for the Special Envoy to the Great Barrier Reef
Decisions and processes of the Government staffing committee
Reforms and changes to Prime Ministerial pensions
Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority
2.13The committee discussed the determination of rates and allowances for parliamentarians travelling to Canberra with the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority.
Parliamentary Workplace Support Service
2.14Topics discussed with the PWSS included:
Statistics around the utilisation of services
Potential changes to staffing and office location
Australian Electoral Commission
2.15Topics discussed with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) included:
The possibility of an early federal election
Electorate redistributions, including the use of indirect data
Regulation issues surrounding the introduction of truth in political advertising legislation
Appropriateness and regulation of signage at electoral events
Representation of Indigenous Australians on the Electoral Roll
The Electoral Integrity Assurance Taskforce report
Court action against individuals and organisations for contravening electoral legislation
A potential increase in territory representation in the Senate
Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio—Thursday 30 May 2024
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet—Office for Women and the Workplace Gender Equality Agency
2.16Topics discussed with DPMC under the Office for Women and for the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) included:
UN Commission on the Status of Women and Australian government engagement
Average staffing levels at the Office for Women
Workplace Gender Equality Agency gender pay gap data and reporting
Funding of frontline domestic violence services
Rollout of the Working for Women gender equality strategy
Funding for the Womens' Alliance
Rapid review of the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and their Children – decision for establishment, funding, appointment of panel members
Gendered and economic impacts of AI
Re-thinking Prevention Strategy
Draft legislation for the proposed Jenkins Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission
Shifting emphasis of the prevention of gendered violence to recognise that it is not exclusively a women's issue, and is a men's issue as well (both in terms of the problem and solution)
Australian Public Service Commission and Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet—Australian Government Consulting
2.17Topics discussed with the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) and DPMC—Australian Government Consulting (AGC) included:
Robodebt—breach of code of conduct investigations and sanctions.
APS Commissioner involvement in the declaration and management of a disclosure of a perceived, and then actual, conflict of interest by the DPS Secretary, and advice provided in connection with the incentive to retire package provided to a former DPS Deputy Secretary by Services Australia.
Reform around performance of agency heads and statutory officers
APS Academy utilisation and establishment of an APS academy in Tasmania
APSC use of external labour hire and consultants
Staffing composition and resourcing of AGC
AGC current projects and future project scoping
Whether staff on secondment from the APS to work for a Minister are subject to the APS Code of Conduct, the Ministerial Code of Conduct, or both
Data on Code of Conduct investigations relating to APSC officers
Finance portfolio—Thursday 30 May 2024
Department of Finance Outcomes 1 and 2
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.
2.18Topics discussed with the Department of Finance under Outcomes 1 and 2 included:
Introduction of new Budget Process Operational Rules (BPORS)
Savings from budget reprioritisations and costs that cannot be delayed
Environmental considerations regarding Defence Housing Australia's Lee Point project
Increased allocation of public service staff to departments and agencies
Definition of an 'Australian corporate entity' and of 'small to medium enterprises'
Rent of electoral offices and procurement of property
Advertising expenditure for campaigns communicating government policies (e.g. tax cuts)
Reviews of consulting partnerships and structures
Reviews of unauthorised government information disclosures
National Disability Insurance Scheme cost growth and sustainability
Live Cattle Trade Ban Class Action
Split between the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation and Finance in budget resourcing
Appointments to the Board of the National Reconstruction Fund
Australian Government investment in PsiQuantum
Overview of Decisions taken but not yet announced
Finance portfolio—Friday 31 May 2024
ASC Pty Ltd
2.19Topics discussed with ASC Pty Ltd (ASC) included:
Pay parity of ASC workers across different states
SES remuneration
Life of Type Extension (LOTE) for Collins Class Submarines (CCS) and other assets; and review by former US Navy Deputy Assistant Secretary Gloria Valdez of ASC's capability to deliver the CCS-LOTE
First of class issues and delays to repairs of current assets
The project timeline for the AUKUS nuclear submarines
Australian Naval Infrastructure Pty Ltd
2.20Topics discussed with Australian Naval Infrastructure Pty Ltd included:
Development of Osbourne North Naval Shipyard capability
Development of Henderson Shipbuilding facility to sustain US Virgina Class submarines
Digital Transformation Agency
2.21Topics discussed with the Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) included:
Utilisation of AI by the Australian Public Service (APS)
Governance frameworks and issues around generative AI
Procurement processes and consideration of 'small to medium enterprises' and 'Australian businesses'
Definition of legacy systems and the process for replacing them
Digital Identity implementation and funding
Future Fund Management Agency
2.22Topics discussed with the Future Fund Management Agency (FFMA) included:
Appointment and onboarding processes for incoming Chair
Profile of investment funds and fund exclusions
Governance principles of the funds and accessibility of reporting
Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation
2.23The committee discussed the impact of the change to taxation rules to reduce tax concessions on superannuation balances over $3 million with the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation.
Cross Portfolio Indigenous Matter—Tuesday 7 June 2024
National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) and Cross Portfolio Departments
2.24Topics discussed for the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) and Cross Portfolio Departments included:
The Indigenous Justice Reinvestment Program, Justice Policy Partnership, and The Time to Work Employment Service
Housing and the role of National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Association (NATSIHA) Community-Controlled Housing
Transformation of a men's shed to a tribal area in Halls Creek
Plan to end gender-based violence against First Nations women
NIAA Fraud and Corruption Control System
North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA)
Funding for Yadu Health and the clinic in Ceduna
Commonwealth Child Safe Framework
National Partnership Agreement and its cultural capability within the Northern Territory primary healthcare system
First Nations mental health and health workforce development Budget measures
Funding of the EON Foundation
Referendum expenditure and reallocation of $20 million from the Voice
Indigenous procurement policy, awarding business to First Nations people
Reduction of NIAA's closing the gap budget and reallocation to new closing the gap measures
Anindilyakwa (ALC), Central (CLC), Northern (NLC) and Tiwi (TLC) Land Councils
2.25Topics discussed for the Anindilyakwa (ALC), Central (CLC), Northern (NLC) and Tiwi (TLC) Land Councils included:
Volume and process for assessing development proposals
Travel arrangements for agencies attending Senate Estimates
Fraud control measures, compliance, and conflicts of interest regarding Winchelsea Mine (ALC) and Covid stimulus spending (NLC)
Land councils' involvement with the Commonwealth Child Safe framework
Conflicts of interest records regarding Winchelsea mine and ALC executives
Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC)
2.26Topics discussed for the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) included:
Possible enforcement of the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework by ORIC
The publication of financial information and funding published on ORIC's website
Director identification numbers and enforcement of regulations around director registration
Investigations into Indigenous Corporations regarding fraud and governance issues
Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation
2.27Topics discussed for the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) included:
Update on the National Land and Sea Strategy which includes developments to regional strategies and evaluation of leadership roles for Indigenous people
Budget allocations to the Land and Culture program
Interplay with Landmark treaty, coverage of intellectual rights and traditional indigenous environmental knowledge
Review of operational assets of resorts and future operators in Yulara, Ayers Rock Resort
Negotiation with ANZ Bank regarding a $170 million debt and terms of loan extension
Outback Stores Pty Ltd
2.28Topics discussed for Outback Stores Pty Ltd included:
Costs of products that cater to regional circumstance (e.g. long-life milk) and products of concern (e.g. tobacco).
Differences across regional areas in stock sales
Heightened food insecurity since 2020
Indigenous Business Australia, Northern Territory Aboriginal Investment Corporation, and Office of Township Leasing
2.29Topics discussed for Indigenous Business Australia (IBA), Northern Territory Aboriginal Investment Corporation (NTAIC), and Office of Township Leasing (OTL) included:
Higher classification for APS staffing
Number of businesses currently supported by the IBA
Impact of cost-of-living crisis and housing prices on the operations of the IBA
NTAIC reporting frameworks and timeframes
Cross Portfolio Indigenous Matters—Tuesday 25 June 2024
National Indigenous Australians Agency
2.30Topics discussed for the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) included:
Management of the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA)
Funding for the Queensland Police-Citizens Youth Welfare Association
Support for Community Sector Organisations program specifically funding for the Australian Football League and National Rugby League
Appointment of Hugh Woodbury to the NAAJA board
Northern Territory Homelands and Housing funding arrangements and program delivery
Building housing in town camps
Program implementation of A better, safer future for Central Australia
Membership of council board of Tangentyere Council
Approval process for grant applications to Central Australia Boarding Response Fund
The new Remote Jobs and Economic Development Plan
Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council
2.31The committee discussed the effectiveness of Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council's control arrangements with regard to their Commonwealth reporting obligations.
Aboriginal Hostels Limited
2.32The committee discussed the average staffing level allocation to Aboriginal Hostels Limited.
Torres Strait Regional Authority
2.33Topics discussed for the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) included:
Turnover of Chief Executive Officers
Operation of Non-Governmental Organisations in the Torres Strait region
Effectiveness and implementation of fraud control measures for the TSRA
Transition, ownership, and management of fisheries
Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
2.34Topics discussed for the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) included:
Changes to the Ngurra cultural precinct project
Staffing levels for AIATSIS
|
Senator Louise PrattChair |