Senate Finance and Public Administration References Committee (part 1 of 2)
30 July 2026
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Senate Finance and Public Administration References Committee Australian Parliament
10:50 - 13:24
Speaker 44
Public administration legislation committee into financial support for state and territory infrastructure projects. I'll be by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet and pay my respects to the elders past and present. I'm chair of this references committee, senator Dave Sharma, and I'm joining today's hearing by video conference. And senators Brogan and senator Dowling, are also joining us by video conference. The committee will be conducting today's hearing via video conference and with some witnesses appearing in person.
These are public proceedings being video streamed live via the parliament's website and a hand side of the transcript is being made. I do 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. Witnesses also have a a right to request to be heard in camera.
The saying has resolved that an officer of the Department of the Commonwealth or of the state shall not be asked to give opinion on matters of policy and shall be given reasonable opportunity to refer questions asked of the officer to superior officers or to administer. 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 being made, and the committee will determine whether he 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. I do remind senators of their obligations under the behavior code for Australian parliamentarians to treat witnesses with dignity, courtesy, fairness, and respect.
And I do ask and remind committee members and witnesses who are appearing via video conference and who are not speaking to make sure their microphones remain muted. I now welcome representatives from the UNSW Futures Research Centre and the ANU Institute for Infrastructure and Society appearing via video conference. I do understand that information on parliamentary privilege and the protection of witnesses giving evidence to Senate committees has been provided to you. Before providing an opening statement, could I just ask for the hands on record that you please state your full names and the capacity in which you appear today? Professor is it?
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