PREFACE


PREFACE

On 9 February 2012, the Senate referred to the committee for examination the estimates of proposed additional expenditure for the financial year 2011-12. The committee is responsible for the examination of the Attorney-General's Portfolio and the Immigration and Citizenship Portfolio. The portfolio additional estimates statements for 2011-12 were tabled on 9 February 2012.

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 2012 [Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2011-2012];
  • Particulars of certain proposed additional expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2012 [Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2011-2012];
  • Final budget outcome 2010-11; and
  • Issues from the advances under the annual Appropriation Acts for 2010-11.

The committee was required to report on its consideration of the additional estimates on or before 20 March 2012.

Estimates hearings

The committee met in public session on 13 and 14 February 2012.

Over the course of the two days of hearings, totalling over 21 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 Government Solicitor
  • Australian Human Rights Commission
  • Australian Security Intelligence Organisation
  • Department of Immigration and Citizenship
  • Family Court of Australia
  • Federal Magistrates Court of Australia
  • Migration Review Tribunal and Refugee Review Tribunal
  • Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
  • Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions

Copies of the transcripts of Hansard 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.

Minister and parliamentary secretary

On 13 February 2012, the committee heard evidence from Senator the Hon Kate Lundy, the then Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, representing the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship.

On 14 February 2012, the committee heard evidence from Senator the Hon Joseph Ludwig, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Minister Assisting on Queensland Floods Recovery, representing the Attorney-General and the Minister for Home Affairs.

Officers from both departments and associated agencies also appeared. The committee thanks the Minister, Parliamentary Secretary 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 above address.

The committee has resolved that the due date for submitting responses to questions on notice from the additional estimates round is 30 March 2012.

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