Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee [Part 2]

Senate Estimates hearing,

Searchable transcript of the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee [Part 2], 29 Oct 2026 Senate Estimates hearing, with chapters: Submarine Agency Leadership and Transition, Nuclear Waste Disposal and Licensing, Infrastructure Funding for HMAS Stirling, US Navy…

Chapters

  1. Submarine Agency Leadership and Transition (49:57)

    The Australian Submarine Agency provides an opening statement on AUKUS progress followed by questioning on leadership transition timelines.

  2. Nuclear Waste Disposal and Licensing (55:48)

    Officials discuss the regulatory framework and timelines for managing low-level radioactive waste at HMAS Stirling.

  3. Infrastructure Funding for HMAS Stirling (1:00:11)

    The committee examines the $8 billion budget allocation for priority works and housing at HMAS Stirling.

  4. US Navy Maintenance and Availability (1:05:22)

    Questioning focuses on US Government Accountability Office reports regarding submarine maintenance backlogs and workforce capacity.

  5. Virginia Class Submarine Production Rates (1:11:28)

    A detailed debate occurs regarding the projected build rates of Virginia-class submarines and meeting AUKUS requirements.

  6. Financial Contributions to US Industry (1:26:26)

    The committee scrutinizes the $3 billion Australian contribution to the US submarine industrial base and financial oversight mechanisms.

  7. Waste Storage and Workforce Remuneration (1:39:55)

    Discussion covers the construction of waste facilities at HMAS Stirling and remuneration strategies for the nuclear-powered submarine workforce.

  8. Naval Nuclear Safety Regulatory Framework (1:52:15)

    The Director General of the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator explains the agency's first year of operations and reporting independence.

  9. Environmental Assessments and Radiological Risks (2:00:01)

    Questioning explores the relationship between EPBC Act assessments and nuclear safety licensing for the Osborne construction site.

  10. ANSTO Staffing and Safety Protocols (2:13:54)

    Officials provide a breakdown of staff expertise in radiation safety and inter-agency emergency response agreements.

  11. Cybersecurity Risks in Connected Vehicles (2:21:26)

    The Australian Signals Directorate discusses cybersecurity vulnerabilities and data privacy concerns associated with connected electric vehicles.

  12. ASD Procurement and OpenAI Vulnerability (2:35:50)

    Examination of ASD's procurement reporting exemptions and the timeline of the OpenAI vulnerability disclosure involving the Daybreak model.

  13. Government Briefings and Threat Reporting (2:55:08)

    The committee reviews the timeline of ministerial briefings regarding the OpenAI incident and the release of the Annual Threat Report.

  14. Defence Housing and Military Justice (3:08:23)

    Discussion on Defence Housing Australia's property portfolio followed by questioning on legislative changes to the military justice system.