Senate Economics References Committee (part 1 of 2)
12 March 2026
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Senate Economics References Committee Australian Parliament
10:35 - 13:10
Speaker 14
Good morning, everyone. As... I'm senator Karen Niddle, and I declare open this hearing of the senate economics references committee inquiry into funding and resourcing for the CSIRO. I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and pay respects to their elders past and present. I extend that respect to aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, participating today.
The committee will be conducting today's hearing via video conference and in person. I would like to draw your attention to the senators that are in attendance, deputy chair Lisa Darmanen, senator Barbara Capocock, and senator Wishworsland on video conference. These are public hearings being video streamed live via the parliament's website, and a hand san transcript is being made available. I remind all witnesses presenting in Australia 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 this committee, and any such action may be treated by the senate as a contempt.
It is also a contempt to give false or misleading evidence. Witnesses also have a right to request to be heard in camera. The senate has resolved that an officer of a department of the Commonwealth or of a 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 does not preclude questions asking for explanations of policies or factual questions about when and how policies were adopted. If a witness objects to answering a question, they should state the ground upon which the objection is 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 camera. 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. A copy of the order is available from the secretariat. I remind senators of their obligations under the behavior code for Australian parliamentarians to treat witnesses with dignity, courtesy, fairness, and respect, and I remind committee members and witnesses who are appearing via via conference and who are not speaking to mute their microphones. I'd also like to welcome senator David Pocock, who's just joined us.
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