Senate Finance and Public Administration References Committee (part 1 of 2)
18 February 2026
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Senate Finance and Public Administration References Committee Australian Parliament
11:44 - 14:35
Speaker 3
I declare openness hearing of the Senate Finance and Public Administration References Committee into the operation appropriateness of the superannuation and pension schemes for current and former members of the Australian Defence Force. I begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet and pay my respects to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples here today. The committee will be conducting today's hearing via video conference and in person. I'm chair of the references committee, senator Dave Sharma, and I'm joining by video conference. I understand that senator Grogon is there in person and that other senators, including senators Dowling and senator Lambie, who move this inquiry are joining us by video conference.
These are public proceedings being video streamed live via the parliament's website, and a hand SAR transcript is being made. I remind all witnesses that in giving evidence to the 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 contempt. It is also a contempt to give false or misleading evidence. Witnesses also have a right to request that evidence be heard in AMRA.
The Senate has resolved that an officer of the Department of the Commonwealth or of the state 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, however, does not preclude questions asking for explanations of policies or factual questions about when and how policies were adopted. If a witness subjects to answering a question, they should state the ground upon which the objection is being made, and the committee will determine whether it will insist on an answer having regard to the ground which is claimed. If the committee determines to insist on an answer, a witness may request that the answer be given in Gambler. Commonwealth officers appearing today are also reminded of the senate order specifying the process by which a claim of public interest immunity should be raised, and a copy of this order is available from the secretary.
I remind senators of their obligations under the behaviour code for Australian parliamentarians to treat witnesses with dignity, courtesy, fairness, respect, and I remind committee members and witnesses who are appearing via video conference and who may not speak to please mute their microphones. I now welcome a representative of the DFRBB B commutation campaign. I understand that the information on parliamentary privilege and the protection of witnesses giving evidence to senate committees has been provided to you. For the hand side record, will you please state your full names and the capacities in which appear today?
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