Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee

Senate Estimates hearing,

Searchable transcript of the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee, 10 Feb 2026 Senate Estimates hearing, with chapters: Disaster Support and NEMA Staffing, Integrity Referrals and Transparency Issues, Machinery of Government and Audit, Social Cohesion Office and Programs,…

Chapters

  1. Disaster Support and NEMA Staffing (0:08)

    The committee examines staffing shortages at NEMA and the allocation of disaster recovery funding for primary producers and local infrastructure.

  2. Integrity Referrals and Transparency Issues (44:25)

    Senators question officials regarding internal integrity investigations, NACC referrals, and significant delays in answering parliamentary questions on notice.

  3. Machinery of Government and Audit (1:46:11)

    Discussion focuses on the rationale for moving security agencies within the Home Affairs portfolio and the findings of an ANAO performance audit.

  4. Social Cohesion Office and Programs (2:15:56)

    Officials provide updates on the establishment of the Office of Social Cohesion and the implementation of community-focused democratic resilience programs.

  5. National Cabinet and Firearm Reforms (2:41:42)

    The committee explores the development of firearm regulation advice for National Cabinet and the coordination between federal and state departments.

  6. Terrorism Threats and Hate Crime (2:55:57)

    Senators inquire about national terrorism threat levels and the jurisdictional consistency of new hate crime and vilification legislation.

  7. Bondi Incident and Gun Buyback (3:16:33)

    The hearing addresses the government's response to the Bondi attack and the ongoing negotiations with states regarding a national gun buyback scheme.

  8. Royal Commission and University Protests (3:37:57)

    Officials discuss the scope of the Royal Commission into recent attacks and the legal thresholds for managing protests on university campuses.

  9. Syrian Repatriation and Senior Staffing (4:05:34)

    The committee questions the department on the repatriation of Australians from Syrian camps and current Average Staffing Levels in national security divisions.

  10. Ministerial Meetings and Record Keeping (5:31:44)

    Senators scrutinize the accuracy of meeting records and handwritten notes regarding ministerial briefings and interactions with non-government organizations.

  11. Firearm Licensing and Surveillance Reform (6:03:01)

    Discussion covers the timeline for Electronic Surveillance Act reforms and the department's knowledge of state-based firearm licensing failures.

  12. Firearm Safety Council and Compensation (6:34:44)

    The committee debates the economic impact of firearm recategorization and the establishment of the National Firearm Safety Council.

  13. Visa Cancellations and Protection Backlog (6:58:15)

    Senators examine the operationalization of new visa cancellation powers and the significant backlog in onshore protection visa applications.

  14. Special Envoy and Onshore Protection (8:07:40)

    The Special Envoy to combat antisemitism discusses university safety, while the department provides data on the PALM scheme and ministerial interventions.