PREFACE


PREFACE

On 7 February 2013, 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 2012-13. 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 2012-13 were tabled on 7 February 2012.[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 2013 [Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2012-2013];
  • particulars of certain proposed additional expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2013 [Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2012-2013];
  • final budget outcome 2011-12; and
  • issues from the advances under the annual Appropriation Acts for 2011-12.

The committee was required to report on its consideration of the additional estimates on or before 19 March 2013.

Estimates hearings

The committee met in public session on 11 and 12 February 2013.

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 Human Rights Commission
  • CrimTrac Agency
  • 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

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 11 February 2013, the committee heard evidence from Senator the
Hon Kate Lundy, Minister for Sport, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, and Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation, representing the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship.

On 12 February 2013, 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 Justice and Minister for Home Affairs.

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 2 April 2013.

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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