Role of the Committee
The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence was established on 13 March 2026
The Committee has specific roles and statutory requirements in relation to reviewing administration and expenditure, strategy and planning, capability development and examination and monitoring of war, warlike operations, and significant non-conflict operations. The Committee has the following functions:
• to review the administration and expenditure of Australian defence agencies, including their annual reports;
• to consider white papers, reviews and other policy documents dealing with the strategies, planning and contingencies of Australian defence agencies;
• to scrutinise Australia’s defence capability development, acquisitions and sustainment;
• to consider matters relating to defence personnel and veterans’ affairs;
• to examine and be appraised of war or warlike operations, including ongoing conflicts;
• to monitor the involvement of Australian defence agencies in significant non‑conflict operations domestically and internationally;
• to monitor and review the implementation of the Australian Government’s response to the findings of any Royal Commission (within the meaning of the Royal Commissions Act 1902) that inquires into a matter relating to the defence of Australia, the Department, the ADF or another Australian defence agency;
• to consider the operations, resources, independence and performance of the Inspector‑General ADF;
• to consider the operations, resources, independence and performance of the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator;
• to inquire into matters referred to the Committee by:a Minister;
- or a resolution of either House of the Parliament;
- on the Committee’s own initiative—to inquire into other matters relating to one or more Australian defence agencies;
• to report on its findings on a matter to:
- if the report relates to matters referred to the Committee by a Minister—that Minister;
- or in every case—the Minister and to each House of the Parliament.
The functions of the committee do not include:
• directing the activities of an Australian defence agency or the Inspector‑General ADF; or
• doing anything in relation to a matter that is within the functions of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.