Chapter 1Introduction
1.1On 14 May 2024, the Senate referred the following documents to the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee (the Committee) for examination and report:
Particulars of proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2025;
Particulars of certain proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2025;
Particulars of proposed expenditure in relation to the parliamentary departments in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2025;
Particulars of proposed additional expenditure in respect of the year ending 30 June 2024 [Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2023–24]; and
Particulars of certain proposed additional expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2024 [Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2023–24].
1.2The Portfolio Budget Statements (PBS’s) for 2024–25 for the Defence Portfolio, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and the Foreign Affairs and Trade Portfolio were tabled in the Senate on the same day along with particulars of proposed additional expenditure in relation to the parliamentary departments in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2024.
Extension to the reporting date
1.3A reporting date of Tuesday, 2 July 2024 was set for the Committee to report on its consideration of the 2024–25 Budget Estimates. On 27 June 2024, the Senate granted an extension of time to report until 12 July 2024.
Portfolio coverage
1.4The Committee has responsibility for examining the expenditure and outcomes of the following:
Defence Portfolio (including Veterans’ Affairs); and
Foreign Affairs and Trade Portfolio.
Hearings
1.5The Committee conducted public hearings from 3–6 June 2024 (inclusive) and an additional hearing on 2 July 2024.
1.6On 3 June 2024, the Committee examined the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (non-trade programs). The Committee received evidence from Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ms Jan Adams AO PSM, and representatives from the department.
1.7On 4 June 2024, the Committee examined the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (non-trade programs and trade programs), Export Finance Australia, the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), and Tourism Australia. The Committee received evidence from Senator the Hon Don Farrell, Minister for Trade and Tourism, Mr George Mina, Mr John Hopkins, Mr Xavier Simonet, Ms Phillipa Harrison, and representatives from the department and agencies.
1.8On 5 June 2024, the Committee examined the Department of Defence (Defence). The Committee received evidence from Senator the Hon Jenny McAllister, representing the Minister for Defence, Mr Greg Moriarty AO, General Angus Campbell AO DSC, and representatives from the department.
1.9On 6 June 2024, the Committee examined Defence, the Australian Submarine Agency, Australian Signals Directorate, Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force, Defence Housing Australia and the Australian War Memorial. The Committee received evidence from Senator the Hon Jenny McAllister, representing the Minister for Defence, and the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Mr Greg Moriarty AO, General Angus Campbell AO DSC, Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead AO RAN, Ms Rachel Noble PSM, Mr James Gaynor, Mr Barry Jackson, Mr Matt Anderson and representatives from the departments and agencies.
1.10The Committee released the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) from the hearing and agreed to hold an additional hearing at a later date.
1.11On 2 July 2024, the Committee examined DVA. The Committee received evidence from Senator the Hon Jenny McAllister representing the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Ms Alison Frame and representatives from the department.
1.12The Committee expresses its appreciation for the assistance of the Ministers and officials who appeared.
Procedural notes
1.13During Tourism Australia’s appearance on Tuesday, 4 June 2024, a public interest immunity (PII) claim was made by the Managing Director, Ms Phillipa Harrison.
1.14Ms Harrison was questioned about three former employees who had breached Tourism Australia’s travel policy. Tourism Australia advised that the matter had been referred to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) as part of its mandatory reporting obligations. When questioned about the identity of one of its former employees, Tourism Australia advised that it would be making a PII claim in writing.
1.15On 13 June 2024, Tourism Australia wrote to the Committee to withdraw the PII claim and undertook to answer the questions as part of the questions on notice process.
1.16Tourism Australia’s correspondence along with the Clerk’s advice concerning PII claims and NACC investigations are available on the Committee’s website.
Questions on notice and Hansard transcripts
1.17In accordance with Standing Order 26(9)(a), the Committee informed the departments and their agencies of the agreed deadline of Thursday, 25 July 2024 for responses to questions taken on notice at the hearings. The Committee agreed a deadline of Monday, 12 August 2024 for questions taken on notice at the additional hearing with DVA.
1.18The transcripts of these public hearings, answers to questions taken on notice and additional information are tabled in the Senate and published on the Committee’s website.
Notes on references and additional information
1.19In this report references to Hansard page numbers are to the proof transcripts. Page numbers may vary between the proof and the official Hansard transcript.