Chapter 2


Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities portfolio

2.1        The committee heard from divisions of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications (the department) and portfolio agencies on 2 March 2020 in the following order:

  • Regional Development and Local Government Division;
  • Infrastructure Investment Division;
  • Cities Division;
  • Western Sydney Unit;
  • Inland Rail and Rail Policy Division; and
  • Australian Rail Track Corporation.

2.2        The following agencies and divisions were released during the course of the hearing without providing evidence:

  • National Faster Rail Authority;
  • Surface Transport Policy Division;
  • Portfolio Coordination and Research Division; and
  • Territories Division.

Agriculture and Water Resources portfolio

2.3        The committee heard from divisions of the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (the department) and portfolio agencies on 3 March 2020 in the following order:

  • Department of Agriculture and Water Resources Corporate Matters (finance and business support, corporate strategy and governance, assurance and legal);
  • Wine Australia;
  • Department of Agriculture and Water Resources Outcome Three (rural policy and farm performance, AGVET chemicals, agricultural policy, trade and market access);
  • Australian Fisheries Management Authority;
  • Fisheries Research and Development Corporation;
  • Future Drought Consultative Committee;
  • Department of Agriculture and Water Resources Corporate Matters (finance and business support, exports);
  • Meat and Livestock Australia;
  • Department of Agriculture and Water Resources Outcome Four (live animal exports, biosecurity policy and implementation, biosecurity plant division, compliance);
  • Regional Investment Corporation; and
  • Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.

2.4        The following agencies and divisions were released during the course of the hearing without providing evidence:

  • Animal Health Australia;
  • Australian Wool Innovation Limited;
  • Inspector-General for Live Animal Exports;
  • Animal Health Australia; and
  • Plant Health Australia.

Cross-portfolio Murray-Darling Basin Plan matters

2.5        The committee heard from divisions of both departments and portfolio agencies on 6 March 2020 in the following order:

  • Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (water division);
  • Murray-Darling Basin Authority;
  • Commonwealth Environmental Water Office;
  • National Water Grid Authority
  • Inspector-General of Murray-Darling Basin Water Resources; and
  • Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics and Sciences.

Senator Susan McDonald
Chair

Appendix 1

Documents tabled

Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities portfolio

  • Tabled Document No. 1: Documents tabled in response to a request from Senator Sterle, tabled by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, on 2 March 2020.
  • Tabled Document No. 2: Regional Growth Fund Guidelines, tabled by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, on 2 March 2020.

Agriculture and Water Resources portfolio

  • Tabled Document No. 1: National Landcare Program - Agriculture Stewardship Package, tabled by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, on 3 March 2020.
  • Tabled Document No. 2: Onshore Biosecurity Levy, tabled by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, on 3 March 2020.
  • Tabled Document No. 3: Organisational Chart with Responsible Ministers, tabled by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, on 3 March 2020.
  • Tabled Document No. 4: High level breakdown of all MoG costs to 31 January, tabled by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, on 3 March 2020.
  • Tabled Document No. 5: Public Interest Immunity Claim – Request for Information Report, tabled by Senator Anne Ruston, on 3 March 2020.
  • Tabled Document No. 6: Correspondence between Ms Kathryn Richards on behalf of The New Club Armidale Pty Ltd and the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (formerly the Department of Agriculture), tabled by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, on 3 March 2020.
  • Tabled Document No. 7: Educating Kids About Agriculture: Kids to Farms grant program, tabled by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, on 3 March 2020.

Cross-portfolio Murray-Darling Basin Plan matter

  • Tabled Document No. 1: Opening statement, tabled by Mr Philip Glyde, Chief Executive, Murray-Darling Basin Authority, on 6 March 2020.
  • Tabled Document No. 2: Correspondence regarding the Barmah-Millewa Forest, tabled by Senator Rex Patrick, on 6 March 2020.
  • Tabled Document No. 3: Opening statement, tabled by Ms Jody Swirepik, First Assistant Secretary, Commonwealth Environmental Water Office, on 6 March 2020.
  • Tabled Document No. 4: Correspondence between Ms Terri Butler MP and Mr David Littleproud MP, tabled by Senator Jenny McAllister, on 6 March 2020.
  • Tabled Document No. 5: MDBA Report Card July and December 2019, tabled by Senator Murray Watt, on 6 March 2020.
  • Tabled Document No. 6: Referrals to the Inspector-General, tabled by Mr Mick Keelty AO APM, Interim Inspector-General of Murray-Darling Basin Water Resources, on 6 March 2020.

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