Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee (part 1 of 2)
26 May 2026
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Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee Australian Parliament
10:08 - 12:45
Speaker 78
Good morning, everybody. I declare open this hearing of the senate finance and public administration legislation committee into the twenty twenty six, twenty seven budget estimates. I begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land in which we meet today and pay my respects to their elders past, present, and emerging and extend, that respect to all aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people here all tuning in today. The committee has set Friday 06/05/2026 as the date by which senators are to submit written questions on notice, and Friday 07/17/2026 is the date for the return of answers to questions taken on notice. Committee's proceedings today will begin with the Australian Public Service Commission followed by the finance portfolio as listed on today's program.
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 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 a contempt to give false or misleading evidence.
The senate has endorsed the following test of relevance of questions at senate estimates hearings. Any questions going to the operational financial positions of the departments and agencies which are seeking funds and estimates are relevant questions for the purpose of estimates hearings. I remind officers that senate has resolved that there are no areas in connection with the expenditure of public funds where any person has the 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 should not be asked to give opinions on matters of policy and should give reasonable opportunity to refer questions asked of the officer to superior officers or to a minister. The resolution does not preclude questions asking for explanations of policy 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, courtesy, fairness, and respect, and I will uphold that. An officer called to answer a question for the first time should state their full name and the capacity in which they appear. I do remind committee members and witnesses who are appearing via video conference, not that we have any at the moment, that if you're not speaking to mute your microphone. And now I would like to welcome senator the honorable Katie Galher, minister for women, minister for government services, minister of finance, and minister for public service.
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