Chapter 1Overview
1.1The Senate Economics Legislation Committee (the committee) is responsible for examining the expenditure and outcomes of the Treasury Portfolio and the Industry, Science and Resources Portfolio (Industry Portfolio).
DocumentsReferred
1.2On 25 March 2025, the Senate referred the following documents to legislation committees for examination:
Particulars of proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30June2026;
Particulars of certain proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2026;
Particulars of proposed expenditure in relation to the parliamentary departments in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2026;
Particulars of proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30June2026 [Supply Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026];
Particulars of certain proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2026 [Supply Bill (No. 2) 2025-26]; and
Particulars of proposed expenditure in relation to the parliamentary departments in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2023 [Supply Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2025-26].
1.3The Portfolio Budget Statements for 2025-26 were tabled in the Senate on the same day.
1.4The Senate set 27 March 2025 as the date for the committee to report on its consideration of Budget Estimates 2025-26.
Budget Estimates Hearings
1.5The Budget was presented as planned on 25 March 2025, and the Senate resolved to vary the schedule of the 2025-26 Budget Estimates hearings, pursuant to the commitment of the Leader of the Government in the Senate. The Senate determined that the committee’s Budget Estimates hearings would take place on the following basis:
Friday, 28 March 2025; and
Wednesday, 2 April, and Thursday, 3 April 2025.
Prorogation of Parliament
1.6On 28 March 2025, at 8.29am, the 47th Parliament was prorogued. The prorogation of Parliament had the effect of setting aside the forward program of Estimates hearings, including the order requiring committees to hold the Budget Estimates hearings between 28 March and 4 April 2025. Accordingly, the committee’s Budget Estimates hearings did not take place.
Questions on Notice
1.7Under Standing Order 26 (14), Estimates questions on notice are regarding as continuing. As such, departments and agencies should provide answers to any such questions not answered at the time of prorogation. Orders of continuing effect relating to committees, such as the allocation of portfolios to committees, remain in effect until varied.
1.8In accordance with Standing Order 26, the committee informed the departments and their agencies of the agreed deadline of Thursday, 29 May 2025, for the receipt of answers to written questions provided on notice. The committee received a total of five written questions on notice, which may be found on the committee’s website.
Acknowledgements
1.9The committee thanks the ministers and officers of the Treasury and Industry portfolios for their support of the committee’s 2025-26 Budget Estimates leading up to the prorogation of the 47th parliament.
Senator the Hon Jess Walsh
Chair
Labor Senator for Victoria