Preface


Preface

On 12 November 2008, the Senate referred to the committee the examination of estimates of proposed additional expenditure for the financial year 2008–09, and hearings scheduled for 9 and 10 February 2009. The dates for hearings were subsequently amended, on 5 February 2009, to 23 and 24 February 2009. The committee is responsible for the examination of the Attorney-General's portfolio and the Immigration and Citizenship portfolio. The portfolio additional estimates statements were tabled on 4 December 2008.

Reference of documents

The Senate referred to the committee, for examination and report, the following documents:

  • Particulars of proposed additional expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2009 (relating to Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2008-09);

  • Particulars of certain proposed additional expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2009 (relating to Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2008-09);

  • Issues from the Advance to the Finance Minister as a final charge for the year ending on 30 June 2008; and

  • Final budget outcome 2007–08 – Report by the Treasurer (Mr Swan) and the Minister for Finance and Administration (Mr Tanner), September 2008.[1]

The committee was required to report on its consideration of the Additional Estimates on or before 17 March 2009.

Estimates hearings

The committee met in public session on 23 February and 24 February 2009.

Over the course of the two days' hearings, totalling over 20 hours, the committee took evidence from the following departments and agencies:

  • Attorney-General's Department;

  • Australian Crime Commission;

  • Australian Customs and Border Protection Service;

  • Australian Federal Police;

  • Australian Human Rights Commission;

  • Australian Law Reform Commission;

  • Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre;

  • Department of Immigration and Citizenship;

  • Family Court of Australia;

  • Federal Court of Australia;

  • Federal Magistrates Court;

  • High Court of Australia;

  • Insolvency and Trustee Service Australia;

  • Migration Agents' Registration Authority;

  • Migration Review Tribunal;

  • National Native Title Tribunal; and

  • Refugee Review Tribunal.

Copies of Hansard are available on the internet at the following address: http://www.aph.gov.au/hansard/index.htm.

An index of the Hansard for each portfolio appears at Appendix 3 and Appendix 4.

Ministers

The committee heard evidence from Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Climate Change and Water, and Senator the Hon Joseph Ludwig, Minister for Human Services, representing the Attorney-General and Minister for Home Affairs, and from Senator the Hon Chris Evans, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship.

Officers from both departments and associated agencies also appeared. The committee thanks Ministers and officers for their assistance.

Questions on notice

Further written explanations, and answers to questions on notice, will be tabled as soon as possible after they are received. That information is also available on the committee's internet page at the following address: http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/legcon_ctte/estimates/index.htm.

The committee has resolved that the due date for submitting responses to questions on notice from the Additional Estimates round is 14 April 2009.

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