Chapter 1 - Introduction
1.1
On 8 February 2007, the Senate referred the following documents to the
Standing Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport (the committee)
for examination and report in relation to the Agriculture, Fisheries and
Forestry portfolio and the Transport and Regional Services portfolio:
- Particulars of proposed additional expenditure in respect of the
year ending on 30 June 2007 [Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2006-2007];
- Particulars of certain proposed additional expenditure in respect
of the year ending on 30 June 2007 [Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2006-2007];
- Statement of savings expected in annual appropriations made by
Act No. 66 of 2006 (Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2006-2007) and Act No. 67 of
2006 (Appropriation Act (No. 2) 2006-2007);
- Final budget outcome 2005-06; and
- Issues from the Advance to the Finance Minister as a final charge
for the year ended 30 June 2006.[1]
1.2
The committee was required to report to the Senate on 21 March 2007.[2]
1.3
The committee considered the Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements
2006-2007 for each portfolio at hearings on 14, 15 and 16 February 2007. The hearings were conducted in accordance with the agreed agenda as
follows:
- Wednesday, 14 February 2007 – Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
portfolio;
- Thursday, 15 February 2007 – Transport and Regional Services
portfolio;
- Friday, 16 February 2007 – Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
portfolio.
1.4
The committee heard evidence from Senator the Hon Eric Abetz, Minister
for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation, representing the Minister for
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and Senator the Hon Ian Campbell, Minister
for Human Services, representing the Minister for Transport and Regional
Services. Evidence was also provided by Dr Cliff Samson, Deputy Secretary of
the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Mr Mike Taylor,
Secretary of the Department of Transport and Regional Services, 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.
Questions on Notice
1.6
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 Thursday, 5 April 2007.
Additional information
1.7
Answers to questions taken on notice at the additional estimates
hearings will be tabled in the Senate in separate volumes entitled 'Additional information
relating to the examination of additional estimates 2006-2007-Senate
Standing Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport'. Documents not
suitable for inclusion in the additional information volumes will be available
on request from the committee secretariat.
1.8
Answers to questions on notice received from the departments will also
be posted on the committee's website at a later date.
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