Senate debates

Tuesday, 23 February 2016

Committees

Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee; Meeting

3:45 pm

Photo of Nick XenophonNick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | | Hansard source

I, and on behalf of Senator McEwen, move:

That the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee meet to consider additional estimates 2015 16 prior to 10 March 2016 to further examine the Department of Defence and that Dr Rob Bourke, Economic Adviser, Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group appear before the committee at that time to answer questions.

3:46 pm

Photo of Scott RyanScott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

I ask leave to make a short statement.

Photo of Stephen ParryStephen Parry (President) Share this | | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Photo of Scott RyanScott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

If the Senate wishes to recall the Department of Defence as per the motion, the appropriate arrangements will be put in place accordingly. However, the Secretary of the Department of Defence has already advised the committee that he, along with other senior officers, is able to provide any information they require in relation to the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group. In particular, senior officers of the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group are able to answer all questions in relation to the economic analysis work of the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group.

Photo of Nick XenophonNick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a one-minute explanation.

Photo of Stephen ParryStephen Parry (President) Share this | | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Photo of Nick XenophonNick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | | Hansard source

There is an important principle at stake here, and that is for the Senate to determine who appears before its committees, including the estimates committees. This is a matter that Senator McEwen and I and others have been pursuing for some time in relation to a report by Macroeconomics.Com.Au Pty Ltd on the economic modelling in respect of the Future Submarine Program. We know that Dr Rob Bourke, an economic adviser from the department, has had a key role in this. We ought to be able to hear from him directly in terms of his direct knowledge about the modelling that was carried out—modelling that cost taxpayers half a million dollars, which we cannot see and which the government is refusing to release.

Question agreed to.