Preface


Preface

On 2 February 2016, the Senate referred to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee (committee) for examination the estimates of proposed additional expenditure for the financial year 2015–16. The committee is responsible for the examination of the Attorney-General's Portfolio and the Immigration and Border Protection Portfolio. The Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements for 2015–16 were tabled on 2 February 2016.[1]

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 2016 [Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2015–2016];
  • particulars of certain proposed additional expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2016 [Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2015–2016];

The committee was required to report on its consideration of the additional estimates on or before 1 March 2016.

Estimates hearings

The committee met in public session on 8 and 9 February 2016.

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

  • Department of Immigration and Border Protection
  • Attorney-General's Department;
  • Australian Federal Police;
  • Australian Human Rights Commission;
  • Australian Security Intelligence Organisation;
  • Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre;
  • Family Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia; and
  • the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

Copies of the Hansard transcripts are available from the committee's internet page at: www.aph.gov.au/senate_legalcon.

An index of the Hansard for each portfolio appears at Appendix 2.

Ministers

On 8 February 2016, the committee heard evidence from Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. Senator Cash was also assisted by Senator the Hon Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Senator the Hon Scott Ryan, Minister for Vocational Education and Skills.

On 9 February 2016, the committee heard evidence from Senator the Hon George Brandis, Attorney-General.

Officers from both departments and associated agencies also appeared. The committee thanks the 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 webpage.

The committee has resolved that the due date for submitting responses to questions on notice from the additional estimates round is 8 April 2016.

Note on references

References to the committee Hansard are to the proof Hansard. Page numbers may vary between the proof and the official Hansard transcript.

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