Speakers: Senator Glenn Sterle

Transcript

Senator Glenn Sterle

very much. I declare open this hearing of the rural and regional affairs and transport legislation committee into the 2026 27 supplementary budget estimates. I begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet today and I pay my respects to their elders past and present and I extend that respect to Aberiginal and Toouristra Islander peoples here today. The committee has fixed Thursday the 17th of December 2026 as the date for the return of answers to questions taken on notice. The committee's proceedings today will begin with corporate matters outcomes of the infrastructure, transport and regional development portfolio. Understanding order 26, the committee must take all evidence in public session. This includes answers to questions on notice. I remind all witnesses that in giving evidence to the committee, they are protected by parliamentary privilege. It is also 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. Uh it is also a contempt to give false or misleading evidence. The Senate has endorsed the following test of relevance of questions at estimates hearings. Any questions going to the operations or financial positions of the departments and agencies which are seeking funds in 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 a discretion to withhold details or explanations from the parliament or its committees unless the parliament has expressly provided otherwise. The Senate has resolved also that an officer of a department of the Commonwealth shall 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 explanations 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 immunity should be raised and I incorporate the public immunity statement into the Hansard. I remind senators of their obligations under the behavior code for Australian parliamentarians to treat witnesses with dignity, sorry, dignity, courtesy, fairness, and respect. An officer called