Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee, , 0:09 to 5:16
The committee opens with procedural acknowledgments and pays tribute to Dr. Helen Haines following a recent attack, emphasizing her integrity and contribution to parliament.
Topics: Integrity, Public safety
Speakers: Senator Karen Grogan, Speaker 3, Mr Henry Pike, Unknown Speaker
the 2026 27 supplementary budget estimates. I begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet today and pay my respects to their elders past and present and extend that respect to ainal and touristra islander people here today. The committee has set Thursday the 5th of November 2026 as the date by which senators are to submit written questions on notice and Thursday the 17th of December 2026 is the date for the return of answers to questions taken on notice. The committee's proceedings today will begin with the parliamentary departments followed by the prime minister and cabinet portfolio as listed on today's program. Understanding order 26, the committee must take all evidence in public session and this includes answers to questions on notice. I remind all witnesses that in giving evidence to committee they are protected by parliamentary privilege. It is unlawful for anyone to threaten or disadvantage a witness on account of evidence given to a committee and such action may be treated by the Senate as a contempt. It is also contempt to give false or misleading evidence. The Senate has endorsed the following test of relevance for questions at estimates hearings. Any question going to the operational or financial position of the departments and agencies which are seeking funds and estimates are relevant questions for the purpose of estimates hearings. I remind officers that the Senate has resolved that there are no areas in connection with the expenditure of public funds where any person has discretion to withhold details or explanations from the parliament or its committees unless the parliament has expressly provided otherwise. The Senate has resolved that an officer of a department of the Commonwealth should not be asked to give opinions on matters of policy and shall be given reasonable opportunity to refer questions asked of the officer to superior officers or to a minister. This resolution does not preclude questions asking for explanation of policies or factual questions about when and how policies were adopted. Witnesses are reminded of the Senate order specifying the process by which a claim of public interest in immunity should be raised and I incorporate the public immunity statement into the Hansard. I remind senators of their obligation under the behavior code for Australian parliamentarians to treat witnesses with dignity, courtesy, fairness, and respect. And as is my usual practice, I have provided copies of that code in the room for people's reference. before we begin, I would like to um on behalf of the committee uh send our thoughts to our colleague, the member for Indai, Dr. Helen Haines, and also to her family and her team and her community as she continues to recover in The attack against Dr. Hannes on Monday last week was a horrendous um incident and quite horrific and I know that we have all come back to this place um in some level of distress and shock. Dr. Haines is much loved um as a colleague here and as a strong advocate for her community and for democracy in Contributions will be made in the House of Representatives this morning from 10:00 a.m. and the committee will suspend at 9:50 to enable members to attend and pay their respects. I note that investigations are underway by the Victorian Police, by the AFP, and by AIO, and I ask senators to please be mindful of this during these hearings. Dr. Mr. Haines is known to all of us as a person of extreme integrity and someone who conducts public debate in a robust but respectful manner. As chair, I will be taking this spirit on board uh with some gusto today. Um and I have no doubt that my fellow senators will join me um in paying that respect to Dr. I would welcome the president, senator, the honorable Selines, um, the clerk, Mr. Pi, and other officers of the department of the Senate. Um, I I will first say, um, it is with great sadness that I acknowledge this is your last estimates with us, Mr. Pi.
>> That steals the thunder from my, uh, potential opening statement.
>> Oh, right. >> But thank you. Let me uh let me not go any further then and leave you to that. Um and any further comments I might make President, would you care to make an opening statement and steal some more of Mr. P's thunder?
>> I won't in relation to Mr. Pike other than to add that it is his birthday today as well. So he will hate me for informing the committee of that. But I'll make some comments after the cler has made his comments. But I would like to join my parliamentary colleagues and parliamentary departments in reaffirming that our thoughts remain with Dr. Helen Haines, her family, friends, staff and community. And um I acknowledge Helen herself. She is held in great regard across this parliament. Um we thank her for her integrity, her decency and her commitment to the people she represents. her contribution to this parliament is greatly valued and um I stand with Helen, her family, her staff and her community at this difficult time. Thanks