Parliamentary Committees
This section reports on Defence activities in relation to parliamentary committee inquiries and activities from 1 July 2005 to 30 June 2006. Further information on the parliamentary reports, inquiries and hearings detailed below can be accessed through the Australian Parliament House website at www.aph.gov.au.
Joint Statutory Committees
Joint Statutory Committee of Public Accounts and Audits
Review of Auditor-General's Reports No. 5: Management of the Standard Defence Supply System Upgrade and 21: Audit of Financial Statements of Australian Government Entities for the Period Ended 30 June 2005
On 3 August 2005, Defence submitted the responses to four questions taken on notice at a public hearing held on 27 June 2005. The responses to 11 written questions from the hearing were submitted to the Committee on 19 August 2005.
Review of Auditor-General's Reports No. 3: Management of the M113 Armoured Personnel Carrier Upgrade Project and 45: Internet Security in Australian Government Agencies
On 9 February 2006, Defence provided evidence to the Committee at a public hearing. Eight questions were taken on notice and 17 written questions were received. Defence submitted responses to the questions on 21 March 2006.
Inquiry into Financial Reporting and Equipment Acquisition at the Department of Defence and Defence Materiel Organisation
On 1 May 2006, Defence lodged a submission with the Committee. On 11 May 2006, Defence representatives provided evidence to the Committee at a public hearing.
Review of Auditor-General's Reports No. 11: The Senate Order for Departmental and Agency Contacts (Calender Year 2004 Compliance) and 27: Reporting of Expenditure on Consultants
On 22 May 2006, Defence provided evidence to the Committee at a public hearing.
Review of Auditor-General's Reports No. 7 to 34 (2005–06)
On 23 June 2006, Defence provided evidence to the Committee at a public hearing.
Report 404 Review of Auditor-General's Reports 2003–2004
Third & Fourth Quarters; and First and Second Quarters of 2004–2005
On 7 November 2005, the Committee tabled Report 404. Defence provided the Government response to eight recommendations on 5 May 2006.
Joint Statutory Committee on Public Works
Report No 11/2005—Holsworthy Program—Special Operations Working Accommodation and Base Redevelopment Stage 1, Holsworthy, NSW
This project was considered by the Committee at a public hearing on 10 June 2005 and approved by the Parliament on 17 August 2005. Construction commenced in mid 2006 and completion is expected in mid 2009.
Report No 14/2005—Upgrade Patrol Boat Facilities, Darwin Naval Base, NT
This project was considered by the Committee at a public hearing on 19 July 2005 and approved by the Parliament on 17 August 2005. Construction commenced in early 2006 and completion is expected in late 2007.
Report No 15/2005—Redevelopment of Kokoda Barracks, Canungra, QLD
This project was considered by the Committee at a public hearing on 20 July 2005 and approved by the Parliament on 17 August 2005. Construction commenced in December 2005 and completion is expected in late 2007.
Report No 18/2005—RAAF Base Amberley Redevelopment Stage 2, Queensland
This project, consisting of three separate parts, was heard as one project.
The 9th Support Battalion project was considered by the Committee at the public hearing on 9 September 2005 and approved by the Parliament on 2 November 2005. Construction commenced in early 2006.
The Engineering Services Upgrade project was considered by the Committee at the public hearing on 9 September 2005 and approved by the Parliament on 2 November 2005. Construction commenced in March 2006.
The Multi-Role Tanker Transport Aircraft project was considered by the Committee at the public hearing on 9 September 2005 and approved by the Parliament on 2 November 2005. Construction commenced in March 2006.
All three parts of this project are planned for completion in early 2008.
Report No 19/2005—Relocation of Selected RAAF College Units to RAAF Base East Sale, Victoria and RAAF Base Wagga, New South Wales
This project was considered by the Committee at a public hearing on 16 September 2005 and approved by the Parliament on 2 November 2005. Construction commenced in December 2005 and completion is expected in mid-2008.
Report No 3/2006—Proposed Relocation of 171st Aviation Squadron to Holsworthy Barracks, NSW
This project was considered by the Committee at a public hearing on 12 December 2005 and approved by the Parliament on 15 February 2006. Construction commenced in June 2006 and completion is expected by mid-2008.
Report No 9/2006—HMAS Cairns Redevelopment, Qld
This project was considered by the Committee at a public hearing on 13 May 2006 and approved by the Parliament on 14 June 2006. Construction is expected to commence in the second half of 2006 and completion is expected in 2009.
Headquarters Joint Operations Command Project
On 8 September 2005, Defence provided an update on the project to the Committee.
Provision of facilities for project Single LEAP—Phase 1
On 29 June 2006, the Committee held a hearing to discuss the South East Queensland sites of RAAF Amberley, near Ipswich, and Gallipoli Barracks, in the Brisbane suburb of Enoggera.
On 11 August 2006, the committee held a hearing to discuss the New South Wales site at Holsworthy Barracks, in the Sydney suburb of Holsworthy.
Joint Standing Committees
Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade
Inquiry into Australia's relationship with China
On 13 September 2005, Defence provided evidence to the Committee at a public hearing. The Committee Report, Opportunities and Challenges: Australia's Relationship with China, was tabled on 10 November 2005. A subsequent Committee Report, China's Emergence: Implications for Australia, was tabled on 30 March 2006.
Inquiry into Australia's Relationship with the United States
From 28 June to 12 July 2005, the Committee visited the United States as part of this inquiry. On 9 September 2005, Defence provided evidence to the Committee at a public hearing and two questions were taken on notice. Defence submitted the responses to these questions on 7 October 2005. The Committee tabled Report No. 130 Inquiry into Australia's Relationship with the United States on 22 May 2006.
Inquiry into Australia's relationship with the Republic of Korea
On 1 September 2005, Defence provided evidence to the Committee at a public hearing. Four questions were taken on notice and one written question was received. Defence submitted the responses to the questions on 5 October 2005.
Private briefings for, and visits by, the Committee
On 13 September 2005, Director-General Coastwatch provided a private briefing to the Committee.
From 23 to 28 October 2005, a delegation from the Joint Standing Committee visited the Middle East Area of Operations.
On 23 February 2006, Defence provided a brief to the Committee in Melbourne on the ADF's contribution to the Commonwealth Games.
On 27 February 2006, Defence provided a brief to the Committee on current ADF operations.
On 28 March 2006, Defence provided a private briefing to the Committee on the Review of ADF Recruitment and Retention.
On 20 June 2006, Defence provided a private briefing to the Committee on the responsive Global Airlift capability.
On 21 June 2006, Lieutenant Colonel Roger Noble provided a private briefing to the full Committee on his time spent as commander of the Al Muthanna Task Group.
Inquiry into Australia Defence Force Regional Air Superiority
On 3 February 2006, Defence lodged a submission to the Committee. On 31 March 2006, Defence provided evidence to the Committee at a public hearing. One question was taken on notice. Defence submitted a response to the question on 11 May 2006.
Review of the Defence Annual Report 2004–05
On 3 March 2006, Defence provided evidence to the Committee at a public hearing. Five questions were taken notice and thirteen written questions were received. Defence submitted the responses to these questions on 5 May 2006.
On 16 June 2006, Defence provided evidence to the Committee at a follow-up public hearing. Two questions were taken on notice. The responses to these questions were submitted to the committee on 4 August 2006.
Inquiry into Australia's Relationship with India as an emerging world power
On 9 June 2006, Defence lodged a submission with the Committee.
Inquiry into Australia's response to the Indian Ocean Tsunami
On 12 May 2006, Defence participated in a round table discussion.
Inquiry into Australia's regional strategic defence requirements
On 21 June 2006, Defence lodged a submission with the Committee.
Inquiry into the impact of Australia to Aid in the Pacific
On 16 June 2006, Defence lodged a submission with the Committee.
Joint Parliamentary Committee on Intelligence and Security (formerly the Joint Committee on ASIO, ASIS and DSD until 2 December 2005)
Briefings from Defence and other department officials
On 25 July and 10 August 2005, Defence met with the Committee Secretariat to discuss and provide background on the proposed amendments to the Intelligence Services Act 2001 and associated legislation.
On 11 August 2005, Defence appeared before the Committee to clarify specific proposed amendments to the Intelligence Services Act 2001 and associated legislation.
On 8 September 2005, Defence appeared before the Committee to explain the operational impacts of meeting the Committee's concerns.
Review of Human Resource Management in Intelligence Agencies
On 2 February 2006, Defence lodged a submission with the Committee.
On 24 March 2006, Defence representatives provided evidence to the Committee at a private hearing. Three questions were taken on notice. Defence submitted the responses to these questions on 2 June 2006.
Private Briefing on the UK/USA Agreement
On 6–8 March 2006, Defence provided a briefing to the Committee during a visit to Defence facilities in Darwin and Geraldton.
Senate Standing Committees
Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee
Budget Supplementary Estimates 2005–06
On 2 November 2005, Defence provided evidence to the Committee at a public hearing. Eight questions were taken on notice and 21 written questions were received. Defence submitted responses to these questions on 20 January 2006.
Budget Additional Estimates 2005–06
On 15 February 2006, Defence provided evidence to the Committee at a public hearing. Defence took 15 questions on notice and received 29 written questions. Defence submitted the responses to these questions on 30 March 2006.
Budget Estimates 2006–07
On 31 May and 1 June 2006, Defence provided evidence to the Committee at a public hearing. At the hearing, 24 questions were taken on notice and 30 written questions were provided after the hearing. The responses to these questions were provided to the committee on 14 August 2006.
Review of Reforms to Australia's Military Justice System
Defence provided the first six-monthly report to the Committee on enhancements to the Military Justice System on 12 April 2006.
On 19 June 2006, Defence appeared before the committee at the public hearing to discuss the six-monthly report. Six questions were taken on notice. The responses were submitted to the Committee on 9 August 2006.
Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee
Duties of Australian Personnel in Iraq
In August 2005, the Committee tabled a report on the Duties of Australian Personnel in Iraq, making one recommendation. On 15 November 2005, the Government response to the report was tabled.
Inquiry into Naval Shipbuilding in Australia
On 24 March 2006, Defence lodged a submission with the Committee.
On 28 March 2006, Defence provided evidence to the Committee at a public hearing. Defence received 62 written questions. Responses to these questions were submitted to the Committee on 31 May 2006.
Senate Legal and Constitutional Committee
Inquiry into the Defence Legislation Amendment (Aid to Civilian Authorities) Bill 2005
On 16 January 2006, Defence lodged a submission with the Committee.
On 31 January 2006, Defence provided evidence to the Committee at a public hearing. Four questions were taken on notice. Responses to these questions were submitted to the Committee on 6 February 2006.
House Standing Committees
Standing Committee on Science and Innovation
Inquiry into pathways to technological innovation
In May 2005, Defence lodged a submission with the Committee. On 5 September 2005, Defence provided evidence to the Committee at a public hearing. On 22 September 2005, Defence provided the Committee with a copy of Defence's 2003 Intellectual Property policy. On 19 June 2006, the Committee tabled its report, Pathways to Innovation.