Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee

Senate Estimates hearing,

Searchable transcript of the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee, 28 Oct 2026 Senate Estimates hearing, with chapters: Iran Foreign Interference and Embassy Operations, Israeli Settlements and Travel Safety Condolences, Palestinian Statehood Recognition and UN…

Chapters

  1. Iran Foreign Interference and Embassy Operations (0:10)

    The committee discusses reports of Iranian-backed cyberattacks and the government's rationale for maintaining diplomatic operations in Tehran despite security concerns.

  2. Israeli Settlements and Travel Safety Condolences (47:53)

    Officials address coordination with the UK on Israeli settlement sanctions and provide updates on travel safety campaigns following methanol poisoning deaths in Laos.

  3. Palestinian Statehood Recognition and UN Rapporteurs (1:14:56)

    The Minister defends the government's position on recognizing Palestinian statehood and discusses engagement with UN special rapporteurs regarding climate and fossil fuel subsidies.

  4. Nepal Disaster Relief and Consular Cases (2:00:40)

    The department provides an update on humanitarian assistance for Nepal flooding and the status of high-profile consular cases in China and Hong Kong.

  5. Osaka Expo Sponsorship and UN Speech Accuracy (2:27:38)

    Questioning focuses on corporate sponsorship packages for the Osaka Expo and a factual error in a UN speech regarding displaced children in the West Bank.

  6. Myanmar Engagement and Japan Child Custody (2:49:23)

    Officials discuss Australia's diplomatic framework for Myanmar and the implementation of joint custody reforms in Japan affecting Australian parents.

  7. Pacific Climate Risks and Research Security (3:09:04)

    The committee examines humanitarian risks associated with El Niño in the Pacific and the effectiveness of the Foreign Arrangement Scheme in securing university research.

  8. Pacific Regional Agreements and Treaties Database (3:51:51)

    Discussion covers key outcomes from the Pacific Islands Forum and the management of the Australian Treaties Database and intergovernmental working groups.

  9. Consular Abduction Allegations and International Tax (5:31:18)

    The department addresses allegations of an Australian citizen's abduction in Southeast Asia and Australia's engagement in UN tax convention negotiations.

  10. PRC Missile Test and Procurement Integrity (5:55:12)

    Officials detail notifications regarding a Chinese ICBM test and discuss integrity measures for managing contractors and labor hire within the department.

  11. Pacific Media Contracts and Antarctic Strategy (6:38:30)

    Questioning covers a limited tender for a Pacific climate documentary and Australia's diplomatic outreach regarding Chinese infrastructure in Antarctica.

  12. Greater Sunrise Project and Myanmar Sanctions (7:05:03)

    The committee discusses the commercial viability of the Greater Sunrise gas project and the effectiveness of targeted sanctions against the Myanmar military junta.

  13. Trade Portfolio Opening and EU FTA Modeling (8:06:02)

    The Trade Minister provides an opening statement before officials are questioned on the economic modeling and projected benefits of the EU Free Trade Agreement.

  14. EU FTA Tariffs and Horizon Europe Research (8:54:59)

    Final questioning focuses on dairy tariffs, luxury car tax implications, and the practical benefits of Australia joining the Horizon Europe research program.