Chapter 1
Introduction
1.1
On 11 May 2011, the Senate referred the following documents to the Rural
Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee (the committee) for examination and
report in relation to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio and the
Infrastructure and Transport portfolio:
- Particulars of proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending
on 30 June 2012;
- Particulars of certain proposed expenditure in respect of the year
ending on 30 June 2012; and
- Particulars of proposed expenditure in relation to the
parliamentary departments in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2012.[1]
1.2
The committee was required to report to the Senate on its consideration
of 2011-2012 budget estimates on 21 June 2011.
1.3
The committee considered the Portfolio Budget Statements 2011-2012 for both
portfolios at hearings on 23, 24, 25 and 26 May 2011. The hearings were
conducted in accordance with the agreed agenda as follows:
- Monday 23 May 2011 – Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
portfolio.
- Tuesday 24 May 2011 – Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
portfolio.
- Wednesday 25 May 2011 – Infrastructure and Transport portfolio.
- Thursday 26 May 2011 – Infrastructure and Transport portfolio.
1.4
The committee heard evidence from Senator the Hon Joe Ludwig, Minister for
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and Senator the Hon Kim Carr, Minister for
Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, representing the Minister for
Infrastructure and Transport. Evidence was also provided by Dr Conall
O'Connell, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry,
Mr Mike Mrdak, Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure and Transport, and
officers representing the departments and agencies covered by the estimates
before the committee.
1.5
The committee thanks the ministers, departmental secretaries and
officers for their assistance and cooperation during the hearings.
Changes to departmental structures
1.6
The committee notes that no major changes have been made to the
departmental structure for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and
Forestry or the Department of Infrastructure and Transport since the 2010-11 Additional
Estimates.
Questions on Notice
1.7
In accordance with Standing Order 26, the committee is required to set a
date for the lodgement of written answers and additional information. The
committee requested that written answers and additional information be
submitted by Tuesday 26 July 2011.
Additional information
1.8
Answers to questions taken on notice at the committee's budget estimates
hearings will be tabled in the Senate in separate volumes entitled 'Additional
information relating to the examination of budget estimates 2011-2012, May 2011,
Senate Rural Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee'. Documents not
suitable for inclusion in the additional information volumes will be available
on request from the committee secretariat.
1.9
Answers to questions on notice received from the departments will also
be posted on the committee's website at a later date.
Note on references
1.10
References to the Hansard transcript are to the proof Hansard; page
numbers may vary between the proof and the official Hansard transcript.
Navigation: Previous Page | Contents | Next Page