Chapter 2Hearings
2.1This chapter lists the key topics discussed for each department and agency examined during the committee’s hearings for Additional Estimates 2025–26. The discussion follows the outcome and agency structure.
Employment and Workplace Relations portfolio – Wednesday, 11 February 2026
2.2The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations was represented by Senator the Hon Murray Watt, Minister for the Environment and Water and, Senator the Hon Dr Jess Walsh, Minister for Early Childhood and Youth.
2.3Minister Watt and Minister Walsh were joined by Ms Tania Rishniw, Acting Secretary of the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR).
2.4The committee commenced its examination of DEWR by considering cross-portfolio, corporate and enabling services, and general matters.
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
Cross-portfolio, Corporate and Enabling Services, and general matters
2.5The committee examined matters relating to the termination and performance of former DEWR secretary, Ms Natalie James, and the outsourcing and labour hire in contact and call centres.
Outcome 3: Workplace Relations
2.6The committee discussed the following topics under Outcome 3: Workplace Relations:
Working conditions on cruise ships;
Administration of the CFMEU:
Geoffrey Watson SC investigation report;
resignation of Mr Zach Smith;
former Labor staffers and candidates working for the union;
Same job, same pay orders;
Fair Work Amendment (Baby Priya) Act 2025 - consultation with unions;
Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 Review – Final Report;
Fair Work Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Act 2023;
Wage growth trend;
Potential for industrial action in the transport sector; and
Secure Australian Jobs Code.
Outcome 1: Employment
2.7The committee examined the following matters under Outcome 1: Employment:
Self-Employment Assistance program;
Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme;
Reconnection, Employment and Learning (REAL) Program; and
Workforce Australia targets and provider performance.
Outcome 2: Skills and Training (including Jobs and Skills Australia)
2.8The committee discussed the following topics under Outcome 2: Skills and Training (including Jobs and Skills Australia):
Key apprenticeship program;
Closing the Gap in skills and training;
Skills in demand visa; and
Fee-free TAFE.
Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman
2.9The committee called officers from the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman, including the Fair Work Ombudsman, Ms Anna Booth, and examined the following matters:
Cross River Rail Woolloongabba incident;
Criminalisation of wage theft – investigations;
Piloting increased monitoring of wages under the Seagoing Industry Award 2020;
Voluntary redundancies within the agency;
Allegations of underpayments for cruise ship workers; and
Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme.
Fair Work Commission
2.10The committee called officers from the Fair Work Commission, including its General Manager, Mr Murray Furlong, and discussed the following topics:
Junior rates of pay for young adult workers;
Report by Geoffrey Watson into Victorian division of the CFMEU;
Operational capacity of the Fair Work Commission;
Termination of the Small Business Support measure;
Multi-employer bargaining; and
Right of entry permits.
Comcare
2.11The committee called officers from Comcare, including its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Colin Radford, and examined the final report recommendations arising from the review of the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988.
Safe Work Australia
2.12The committee called officers from Safe Work Australia, including its Chief Executive Officer, Ms Marie Boland, and looked at the issue of exposure limits to chemicals.
Australian Skills Quality Authority
2.13The committee called officers from the Australian Skills Quality Authority, including its Chief Executive Officer, Ms Saxon Rice, and discussed the impact and complaints from students in relation to the recent decision to cancel qualifications delivered by non-genuine providers and bad faith operators.
Education portfolio — Thursday, 12 February 2026
2.14The Hon Jason Clare MP, Minister for Education was represented by Senator the Hon Dr Jess Walsh, Minister for Early Childhood Education and Youth. Minister Walsh was joined by Mr Tony Cook PSM, Secretary of the Department of Education (the department).
2.15The committee commenced its examination of the department by considering Corporate and Enabling Services.
Department of Education
Corporate and Enabling Services
2.16Mr Cook PSM, made an opening statement to the committee extending his department's condolences to the families of the victims of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack on 14 December 2025. Mr Cook also highlighted the important role the education sector plays in responding to antisemitism:
As announced by the Prime Minister on 18 December 2025, Mr David Gonski AC has been appointed to lead a national antisemitism education taskforce. The taskforce has been tasked with supporting Australia's education system to prevent, address and respond to antisemitism. Mr Gonski brings to this role a longstanding commitment to education, inclusion and community cohesion. The taskforce, which includes Ms Jillian Segal AO, the Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, has already met twice and will continue to meet on a monthly basis. Its initial focus is on four key streams of work: a targeted review of the Australian curriculum, after endorsement by education ministers in February; teacher training and professional development; strengthening the powers of TEQSA, the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency; and the development of a university report card, an initiative of the special envoy's plan to combat antisemitism, to assess how universities are responding to antisemitism. My department is supporting the taskforce in progressing the education measures announced as part of the government's response, including by providing advice on any additional actions that may be required.
2.17Other topics discussed by the committee included:
Redistribution of funding;
Average staffing levels; and
Use of Artificial Intelligence.
Outcome 1: Schools and Youth
2.18The committee examined the following matters under Outcome 1: Schools and Youth:
First Nations Teaching Strategy;
Thriving Kids program;
Year 12 completion rates;
Better and Fairer Schools Agreement – signing by Victorian Government;
National Respectful Relationships Education:
Expert Working Group;
Framework;
Use of pro-Palestinian material in schools by NSW teachers;
Reading comprehension levels;
Compulsory singing of the National Anthem in Northern Territory public schools; and
Reviews of the Australian curriculum.
Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership Limited
2.19The committee called officers from the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership Limited, including its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Tim Bullard and discussed teacher supply and demand projections as well as the National Teacher Workforce Action Plan.
Department of Education
Outcome 1: Early Childhood
2.20The committee discussed the following topics under Outcome 1: Early Childhood:
Alleged abuse in Victorian childcare centres;
Child Care Subsidy;
Closing the Gap in early childhood and schooling;
Construction of a childcare centre in Mukinbudin, Western Australia;
Productivity Commission's recommendation of an Early Childhood Education and Care Commission;
In Home Care program;
Worker Retention Payment;
Inclusion Support Program;
Childcare CPI;
Reassessments of early childhood education and care centres;
Public funding for for-profit providers; and
Building Early Education Fund;
Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority
2.21The committee called officers from the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority, including its Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Gabrielle Sinclair, and examined the data on serious incidents and confirmed breaches, as well as staffing waivers.
Department of Education
Outcome 2: Higher Education, Research and International
2.22The committee called officers from the department in relation to Outcome 2: Higher Education, Research and International and discussed the following matters:
Australian Tertiary Education Commission allocating extra domestic places to universities;
Commonwealth Prac Payments;
Study hubs;
Job Ready Graduates package;
Appointment of Professor Greg Craven to assess antisemitism at universities;
Gender based violence regulator;
Closing the Gap;
International student allocation at universities; and
Reallocation of funds from Australia's economic accelerator impact on the research sector.
Australian Research Council
2.23The committee called officers from the Australian Research Council (ARC), including the Board Chair, Professor Peter Shergold, and examined the following topics:
Delay in project research grants due to foreign interference assessments;
ARC Organisational Review;
Review of the grant given to Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah;
Two stage process of the Discovery Projects scheme; and
Funded research at the Australian National University involving scientists affiliated with Russian nuclear institutes and universities.
Australian National University
2.24The committee called officers from the Australian National University, including the Interim Vice-Chancellor, Ms Rebekah Brown, and discussed the following matters:
Socially Responsible Investment policy;
Underpayment of staff;
Conflict of interest declarations;
Special Governance Committee – review by Dr Vivienne Thom AM;
Student enrolment numbers; and
Australian University Census on Staff Wellbeing.
Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency
2.25The committee called officers from the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), including its Chief Executive Officer, Dr Mary Russell, and examined the following matters:
Complaints from students and staff submitted to TEQSA;
Impact of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission on TEQSA;
Abolition of the Higher Education Standards Panel; and
Briggs Review – compliance assessment into the Australian National University.
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority
2.26The committee released the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority from the hearing without questions.
Senator Marielle Smith
Chair
Senator for South Australia