Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee, , 17:25 to 20:57
The Chair opens the hearing, acknowledges the traditional custodians, and outlines the rules of relevance and media recording for the session.
Topics: Government spending, Integrity
Speakers: Senator Varun Ghosh, Senator Nita Green, Mr Jim Betts
This hearing of the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee into the twenty twenty-six twenty-seven budget estimates. I begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet and pay respects to elders past present and emerging. And such action may be treated by the Senate as a contempt. Senators endorsed the following test of relevance of questions and estimates hearings. Any questions going to the operations or financial positions of the departments or an agencies which are seeking funds and estimates are relevant for the purposes of estimates hearings. If there are no objections, the committee authorises media recording and photography of the committee's proceedings in accordance with broadcasting resolution three. I remind any media present during the day that this permission can be revoked at any time and the media must follow the direction of Secretary of Staff. I now welcome Senator the Honourable Nita Green, Assistant Minister for Northern Australia, Tourism and the Pacific Island Affairs representing the Minister for Communications and the Arts. Minister, do you wish to make an opening statement?
No, thank you, Chair. It's good to be able to do that.
Thank you. Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts. Mr Betts, do you wish to make an opening statement?
No, thank you, Chair.
Thank you, Secretary. Before we commence with corporate matters and general questions, I remind Senators that this part of the programme relates to matters concerning central departmental administration, so there's building services, ICT, staffing levels and media procurement. Questions relating to individual policies and programs should be addressed to officials when specific programs are considered in subsequent sessions. So with that in mind, I will now turn to Senator Henderson.