Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee [Part 2]

Senate Estimates hearing,

Searchable transcript of the Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee [Part 2], 26 Oct 2026 Senate Estimates hearing, with chapters: Clean Energy Regulator ACCU Issuance, Home Battery Program and Solar Rollout, Compliance and Unlicensed Solar Workers, Whistleblower Allegations…

Chapters

  1. Clean Energy Regulator ACCU Issuance (0:03)

    The committee examines the Clean Energy Regulator regarding the issuance of Australian Carbon Credit Units and the growth of the secondary market.

  2. Home Battery Program and Solar Rollout (7:59)

    Officials provide data on the uptake of the cheaper home battery program and the record-breaking rollout of rooftop solar across Australia.

  3. Compliance and Unlicensed Solar Workers (21:27)

    Senator Hanson questions the agency regarding reports of unlicensed foreign workers in the solar industry and the status of active compliance investigations.

  4. Whistleblower Allegations and Fraud Convictions (31:51)

    The committee reviews whistleblower allegations concerning the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme and details recent criminal convictions for fraud.

  5. Battery Safety and National Security (39:32)

    Discussion shifts to battery product safety removals and potential national security implications related to consumer energy resources.

  6. Environmental Water and Landowner Consent (48:33)

    The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder discusses the legal framework for delivering water and the necessity of collaborating with private landholders.

  7. Property Rights and Constitutional Law (1:02:45)

    Senator Canavan challenges officials on the constitutional requirement for just-terms compensation when environmental water inundates private property.

  8. Water Recovery Targets and Buybacks (1:11:43)

    The committee examines progress toward the 450-gigalitre water recovery target and the socioeconomic impacts of voluntary water buybacks on regional communities.

  9. First Nations Cultural Flows Grants (1:26:19)

    Senator Thorpe questions the delay in First Nations-led cultural flows planning grants and the management of Aboriginal water entitlements.

  10. Food Security and Water Science (1:41:03)

    Officials discuss the impact of water recovery on food security and the scientific reporting used to evaluate environmental water outcomes.

  11. Ministerial Briefings and Basin Health (1:59:42)

    The department provides updates on ministerial briefings regarding independent reviews and the current environmental health of the lower Murray River.

  12. Housing Approvals and EPBC Act (2:12:54)

    The Minister and EPA officials address the backlog of housing project approvals and the primary causes for delays in environmental assessments.

  13. Resource Projects and Trophy Hunting (2:26:25)

    The committee reviews processing times for resource projects and the government's progress on banning the importation of hunting trophies.

  14. Fish Farming and Cultural Heritage (2:44:19)

    Final questioning focuses on the environmental impact of fish farming in Macquarie Harbour and the protection of sacred First Nations birthing trees.