1.1
On 11 May 2021, the Senate referred the following documents to the Education and Employment Legislation Committee (the committee) for examination and report:
Particulars of proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2022
Particulars of certain proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2022
Particulars of proposed expenditure in relation to the parliamentary departments in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2022.
Portfolio coverage
1.2
In accordance with a resolution of the Senate on 31 August 2016, as amended on 12 February 2018 and on 13 February 2020, the committee is responsible for the examination of the expenditure and outcomes of the following portfolio:
Education, Skills and Employment, including Industrial Relations.
1.3
Previously, the committee was also responsible for the Industry, Science, Energy and Resources portfolio, excluding Industry, Science, Energy and Resources but including Small Business. However, an amendment was made on 12 May 2021 transferring responsibility for Small Business to the Economics Legislation Committee.
1.4
A full list of agencies is available at Appendix 1.
Portfolio Budget Statements 2021-22
1.5
The Portfolio Budget Statement 2021-22 for the Education, Skills and Employment portfolio and the Attorney-General's portfolio (covering Industrial Relations matters) were tabled in the Senate on 11 May 2021.
Hearings
1.6
On 1 December 2020, the Minister for Families and Social Services,
Senator the Hon. Anne Ruston, by leave, moved that Budget estimates hearings for the committee would occur from Tuesday, 1 June 2021 to Friday, 4 June 2021. An additional spill over day was allocated for Friday, 18 June 2021 which was not required.
1.7
Accordingly, the committee agreed to consider particulars of expenditure as follows:
Industrial relations matters within the Attorney-General's portfolio – 1 and
2 June 2021
Education, Skills and Employment portfolio – 3 and 4 June 2021.
1.8
The first two days focused on employment and industrial relations matters under the responsibility of the Attorney-General's Department and its agencies. The third and fourth days focused on the Education, Skills and Employment portfolio under the responsibility of the Department of Education, Skills and Employment and its agencies.
1.9
The committee initially expected all witnesses to appear in person due to the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in all states and territories. In late May though, several community cases were reported in the Greater Melbourne area and, on 27 May, Victoria entered a state-wide lockdown. The committee subsequently agreed Victorian-based witnesses, or witnesses who had recently travelled to Victoria, were able to attend the hearings via videoconference. A total of
25 witnesses appeared via videoconference.
1.10
The committee heard evidence from the following Minsters:
Senator the Hon. Michaelia Cash, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations
Senator the Hon. Amanda Stoker, Assistant Minister to the Attorney-General, Assistant Minister for Women, Assistant Minister for Industrial Relations
Senator the Hon. Linda Reynolds, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Minister for Government Services
Senator the Hon. Jonathon Duniam, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries, Assistant Minister for Industry Development.
1.11
Evidence was also provided by the following departmental secretaries who were accompanied by officers of their portfolio departments and agencies:
Mr Iain Anderson, Acting Secretary, Attorney-General's Department
Dr Michele Bruniges AM, Secretary, Department of Education, Skills and Employment.
1.12
The committee extends its appreciation to the Ministers and officers of the departments and agencies who assisted the committee in conducting its
2021-22 Budget estimates hearings.
Questions on notice
1.13
In accordance with Standing Order 26(9)(a), the committee agreed that the date for the return of answers in response to questions placed on notice from the Budget estimates 2021-22 hearings would be 16 July 2021.