Chapter 2Portfolio specific issues
2.1This chapter provides an overview of some of the matters raised during the committee’s February 2026 hearings on Additional Estimates 2025–26. The discussion follows the order of appearance of outcomes and agencies, organised by portfolio.
Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water portfolio
Corporate matters
2.2The committee commenced its examination of the Climate Change Energy, the Environment and Water portfolio on 9 February 2026 with general questions of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). The following matters were discussed during general questions:
Minister Bowen’s telephone roaming charges relating to travel in November 2024;
Departmental travel costs including national and international travel between 1 July and 31 December 2025;
Departmental internal guidance on compliance with Senate orders for the production of documents;
Role of DCCEEW in monitoring compliance and delivery of annual reports by due date;
Changes to departmental organisational structure to support Conference of the Parties(COP) 31;
Departmental management of substitute public holidays in relation to enterprise bargaining agreement and gazetted public holidays;
COP 30 costs relating to travel and the Australian pavilion; and
COP 31 pre-conference costs and process for deciding the location.
Outcome 2: Conserve, protect and sustainably manage our natural resources including through a nature positive approach; protect and conserve our natural and cultural heritage; reduce and regulate the use of pollutants and hazardous substances; and take a leadership role on these issues internationally.
2.3In relation to Program 2.1:Conserve, protect and sustainably manage Australia’s natural environment through a nature positive approach the committee discussed the following matters:
Update on projects related to the algal bloom in South Australia including timing of the Government Response to the inquiry report; financial support provided to South Australia and implementation of support for the communities affected;
Development of national standards following the introduction of the Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025 (EPRB), including ongoing consultation processes;
Current status of bilateral agreements under the EPRB and Environmental Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act);
Key performance indicator development, approval and expected timeframes for assessment of projects under the EPRB and EPBC Act legislation;
Revised land‑clearing rules, landholder hotline access, communication of rule changes, and compliance and exemption arrangements under the EPRB;
Referral and assessment of pygmy blue whales independent of blue whales in relation to the EPBC Act;
Rainforest Reserves Australia notice of breach to Minister under EPBC Act clarification letter;
Housing approvals impacted by the EPBC Act;
Conclusion of the Saving the Native Species program in June 2026, outcomes and evaluation of the program and the funding spent;
Regional Forest Agreements (RFA), interaction with new EPRB rules and transition from native logging to plantation logging;
Funding and development of new biological rabbit control;
Impacts of the EPRB on streamlined gas project pathways, related industry consultations, assessment of agricultural and food security risks, and associated forestry amendments;
Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation funding, department responsibilities, private sector input and data collection; and
Funding and evaluation of the ecological impacts of the South Australian algal bloom, including listing and endangerment of impacted animal species.
2.4In relation to Program 2.2: Protect Australia’s cultural, historic and First Nations heritage the committee discussed the following matters:
Process and communication regarding the World Heritage nomination of the Great Australian Bight with the South Australian and Western Australian Governments;
Queensland Government contribution to the State of conservation of the Great Barrier Reef report in relation to current energy transition plans;
Progressing the Great Barrier Reef water quality plan;
Development of cultural heritage laws, how they will interact with the EPBC Act and EPRB, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and inclusion of truth-telling processes; and
Walker Corporation (Walker Tower, Adelaide CBD Development) building approvals, interaction with the Australian Heritage Council and ministerial call in powers.
2.5Program 2.3: Accelerate the transition to a circular economy, while safely managing pollutants and hazardous substances, the committee discussed the following matters:
Plastic packaging and recycling in relation to the Recycling and Waste Reduction Act 2020, packagingindustry concerns andprocurement by governments to include recycled materials;
National solar panel recycling pilot introduction by government; and
Progress and agreement in relation to the Global Plastics Treaty;
Bureau of Meteorology
2.6The committee called officers from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and discussed the following matters:
Expenditure on the Australian Water Resources Informaiton System;
Staffing at the Australian Climate Service in relation to the Climate Risk Assessment;
Data correction and verification of sources for the Climate Risk Assessment report;
Potential redeployment of Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) staff to climate related roles in the BOM;
Triggers for BOM to issue a severe heatwave warning;
Dissatisfaction with the new BOM website, timing and funding for further updates following feedback;
Responsibility and management of the Flood Warning Infrastructure Network including the ownership and maintenance role of related infrastructure including flood gates with state governments with a focus on the North Queensland floods in December 2025;
Flash flooding on 15 January 2026 in the Great Ocean Road area, Victoria and the warnings in relation to that; and
Expenditure on external contracts for the ROBUST program;
Outcome 4: Improve the health of river and freshwater ecosystems and water use efficiency through implementing water reforms and ensuring enhance sustainability efficiency and productivity in the management and use of water resources including: The Office of the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder, the Murray-Darling Basin Authority and the National Water Grid.
2.7In relation to Program 4.1 Water Reform the committee discussed the following matters:
DCCEEW funding contribution and updates available for the Paradise Dam project;
Water buyback scheme funding and current water trading prices; and
Environmental water releases undertaken in the Upper Murrumbidgee and associated financial compensation to Snowy Hydro;
Outcome 3: Advance Australia’s environmental, scientific, strategic and economic interests in the Antarctic region by protecting, researching and administering in the region, including through international engagement.
2.8In relation to Program 3.1: Contribute to Australia’s national Antarctic interests through science, environmental management and international engagement, including delivering Australia’s scientific research and operations in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, the committee discussed the following matters:
Funding available for implementing the Australian Antarctic Science Decadal Strategy 2025–2035;
Logistics around infrastructure work at Macquarie Island and Davis Station; and
Interactions between CSIRO, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and budget considerations to implement programs;
Outcome 1: Support the transition of Australia’s economy to net-zero emissions by 2050; transition energy to support net zero while maintaining security, reliability and affordability; support actions to promote adaptation and strengthen resilience of Australia’s economy, society and environment; and take a leadership role internationally in responding to climate change.
2.9In relation to Program 1.1: Reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions; and Program 1.2: Support reliable, secure and affordable energy, the committee discussed the following matters:
Funding allocated to deliver COP 31 and COP 31 pre-conference, including proportion of the funding allocated to Minister Bowen’s activities;
Funding and public consultation undertaken regarding the release of the Gas Market Review;
Capacity Investment Scheme costs and implementation to date;
Reliability of coal fired power stations and benefits of transition to renewable energy;
Impact of agriculture and beef production on greenhouse gas emissions and the carbon market;
Development of a low carbon liquid fuel market;
Process of assigning energy efficiency ratings to new home builds;
Design of the Games On! Grassroots infrastructure program;
Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) governance review announcement and timing; and
Forecast demand that new Data Centres may have on the electricity network;
Climate Change Authority
2.10The committee called officers from the Climate Change Authority (CCA) and discussed the following matters:
The CCA Chair’s declarations of interest and the planned management of associated conflict of interest matters;
Clean Energy Finance Corporation
2.11The committee called officers from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) and discussed the following matter:
CEFC subsidies for electric vehicle purchases;
Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee
2.12The committee called officers from the Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee (ERAC), and discussed the following matters:
Arrangements for secretariat staffing supporting the ERAC; and
Sunsetting review of The Beef Cattle Heard Management method in relation to Australian carbon credit units completed in September 2025;
Snowy Hydro Limited
2.13The committee called officers from Snowy Hydro Limited, and discussed the following matters:
Contracting arrangements for the Snowy Hydro Scheme and budget considerations;
Apprenticeships and traineeship opportunities within the Snowy Hydro scheme; and
Revised budget costings for Snowy Hydro 2.0.
Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts portfolio
Corporate matters
2.14The committee commenced its examination of the Communications and the Arts outcomes of the Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts portfolio on 10 February 2026 with general questions of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts (DITRDCSA). The following matters were discussed during general questions:
Staffing matters including the employment status of a former Deputy Secretary;
Departmental and ministerial travel after November 2025 and specifics relating to the Minister’s travel to the United Nations in the United States in September 2025;
Communication, budget and evaluation of the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024;
Funding for the SmackTalk campaign;
Departmental expenditure on external legal services
Departmental outline of the 2026 legislative agenda for the communications and arts portfolio, including proposals around the Duty of Care Bill, News Media Bargaining Code, ABC and SMS amendments, and the National Archive Act;
Ongoing work being undertaken on National Cultural Policy—Revive, including legislation, review and evaluation
Response to AQON (answer to question on notice)—SQ25-00214—cost of department plant hire;
Qantas Club and Virgin Lounge membership statistics; and
Timing of lodgement of answers to questions on notice;
Outcome 5: Promote an innovative and competitive communications sector, through policy development, advice and program delivery, so all Australians can realise the full potential of digital technologies and communication services.
2.15In relation to Program 5.1: Digital Technologies and Communications Services, the committee discussed the following matters:
Implementation and outcomes in relation to recommendations of Anti-siphoning and prominence legislation;
Status of government response to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs, You win some, you lose more report and recommendations;
Social media age restrictions information kit, budget and statistics for de–activated accounts;
Mobile Black Spot Program and progress on specific progress individual mobile towers in the improving mobile coverage rounds;
Status of funding commitments relating to the digital inclusion program for First Nations;
Update on the Triple Zero custodian, Optus outages and device issues;
Progress on the development of a Digital Duty of Care legislation amendments for the Online Safety Act 2021;
Trial of a text messaging service to contact Triple Zero;
News Media assistance program; and
Progress on Mobile Network Hardening and resilience upgrade to 23 mobile base stations in the Perth Hills area;
Australian Communications and Media Authority
2.16The committee called officers from Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), and discussed the following matters:
ACMA’s engagement with organisations to gain feedback on draft media releases and reports prior to publication;
Implementation of and outcomes from the new Commercial Radio Code of Practice (2026);
Effects of the Australia-US Free Trade Agreement on radio broadcaster obligations for Australian music content;
Application of anti-siphoning laws to Winter Olympics broadcast;
Investigations into licensed wagering providers for breaches of self-exclusion rules;
Review into alcohol advertising during sports broadcasts;
Telecommunications spectrum license pricing and benchmarking process;
Review of Optus outage of 18 September 2025 and device access issues;
Optus outage on 9 February 2026; and
Branded Sender ID register for SMS messaging service implementation;
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
2.17The committee called officers from Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), and discussed the following matters:
Funding and acquisition of the Australian documentary ‘Silenced’;
Editorial decisions for the Behind The News (BTN) program for children;
Unauthorised use of the character Bluey;
Impact of the National Archives of Australia’s issuing of a disposal freeze on records related to antisemitism and a potential royal commission;
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation response to Four Corners episode;
Additional funding for the production of Australian programs on the ABC;
Events surrounding Adelaide Writers Week in relation to ABC journalists;
Portrayal of First Nations perspectives on ABC programs;
Potentially offensive content on ABC programs;
Transition from AM to FM transmission of radio programming for Perth listeners;
References to religious extremism following the Bondi Terror Attack;
Promotion of Australian artists, including through Triple J; and
ABC Partnership with ACON Health;
Special Broadcasting Service
2.18The committee called officers from Special Broadcasting Service (SBS), and discussed the following matters:
SBS broadcasting of Eurovision;
Editorial guidance on language used in relation to “Israel-Palestinian Territories Conflict News”;
Expenditure on official SBS hospitality functions and response to AQON – SQ25-002281; and
Recruitment of a new managing director for the SBS;
Office of the eSafety Commissioner
2.19The committee called officers from Office of the eSafety Commissioner, and discussed the following matters:
Terminology surrounding the social media ban;
The number of accounts deactivated as a result of the Social Media age restrictions, and how this number was calculated and how this information has been used;
eSafety Commissioner’s correspondence with the United States of America (US) Congress;
Age assurance technology trials;
Digital duty of care legislation implementation and outcomes;
Investigations into xAI and their Grok service in relation to online safety;
Internet traffic before and after the start of the Social Media Ban;
eSafety Commissioner’s international travel; and
Total legal expenses for 2025;
Creative Australia
2.20The committee called officers from Creative Australia, and discussed the following matters:
Creative Australia response to the recommendations of the report from the Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism;
Grant amounts given to artists and funding bodies;
Social commentary by artists who receive grants; and
Ongoing operations of Music Australia;
Screen Australia
2.21The committee called officers from Screen Australia, and discussed the following matter:
Production of the documentary ‘Silenced’;
Outcome 6: Participation in, and access to, Australia’s arts and culture through developing and supporting cultural expression.
2.22In relation to Program 6.1: Arts and cultural development, the committee discussed the following matter:
Funding for the Commonwealth Indigenous Languages and Arts Program;
Outcome 7: Contribute to healthy, active communities and a sustainable sport system through policy development, coordination and targeted support.
2.23In relation to Program 7.1: Sport and Physical Activity, the committee discussed the following matters:
Funding to National Sporting Organisations and funding certainty;
Preparations for the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane; and
Budget allocations for Major sporting events and the Legacy Framework
Senator Varun Ghosh
Chair