Chapter 2Portfolio specific issues

2.1This chapter provides an overview of some of the matters raised during the committee’s 27 March 2025 hearing on Budget 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

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

2.2The committee commenced its examination of the Climate Change Energy, the Environment and Water portfolio on 27 March 2025 with general questions asked of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). During this section there were no significant matters raised.

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.

2.3In 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:

2030 emissions reduction target and the cost of reducing emissions;[1]

Energy prices and energy relief measures;[2]

Impact of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard;[3]

Progress on the delivery of advice from the Climate Change Authority regarding emissions targets;[4]

Modelling of electricity costs in 2026 and beyond;[5]

Impact of the 82 per cent renewable energy target on energy prices;[6] and

Interconnector capabilities and capacities.[7]

Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee

2.4The committee called officers from the Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee and discussed the following matters:

Importance of a high-integrity carbon market;[8] and

Native forest management.[9]

Australian Renewable Energy Agency

2.5The committee called officers from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and discussed the following matters:

Funds allocated to Hydrogen Headstart and other ARENA programs;[10]

ARENA’s Industrial Transformation Stream;[11] and

ARENA’s grant history to renewable energy proponents and projects.[12]

Australian Energy Regulator

2.6The committee called officers from the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) and discussed the following matters:

Indications from the AER on potential cuts to energy bills in the near-future due to renewable technologies;[13]

Network costs specific to New South Wales;[14]

Western Sydney customer energy rates;[15] and

Loading issues with rooftop solar during low and high demand periods.[16]

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.

2.7In 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:

Reconsideration requests and an extension of the deadline for a decision on a proposal to extend the life of the North West Shelf project;[17]

Drafting process and potential impacts of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Reconsiderations) Bill 2025;[18]

Proposed establishment of Environment Protection Australia;[19]

Impacts of salmon farming on oxygen levels in Macquarie Harbour, and conservation efforts for the Maugean Skate;[20]

Funding to meet the national target to protect and conserve 30 per cent of Australia’s landmass and 30 per cent of Australia’s marine areas by 2030;[21] and

Size of areas and consultation process regarding Indigenous Protected Areas.[22]

Director of National Parks

2.8The committee called officers from the Director of National Parks and discussed the following matter:

Review of the South-east Marine Parks Network.[23]

Bureau of Meteorology

2.9The committee called officers from the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) and discussed the following matters:

Tropical Cyclone Alfred – BoM website advice for New South Wales and Queensland; weather radar coverage in south-west Queensland and briefings to Members of Parliament;[24]

River gauge upgrade program for flood warnings.[25]

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.

2.10In 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 for the Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science;[26] and

Funding for the Southern Ocean Observation System.[27]

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.

2.11In relation to Program 4.1 Water Reform, the committee discussed the following matters:

Developments in the water recovery program;[28]

Water management and water security in Australia;[29] and

Usage of water by the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder.[30]

Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts portfolio

Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts

2.12The committee commenced its examination of the Communications and the Arts outcomes of the Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts portfolio on 27 March 2025 with general questions asked of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (DITRDCA). During this section there were no significant matters raised.

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.

2.13In relation to Program 5.1: Digital Technologies and Communications Services, the committee discussed the following matters:

Review into the impact of online keno and foreign-matched lotteries;[31]

Extension of the Strengthening Telecommunications Against Natural Disasters program;[32]

Updates on the News Media Assistance Program;[33]

The Mobile Blackspot Program and the overlap with the Better Connectivity Plan;[34]

Emergency communications development and testing including the Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation;[35] and

Engagement with Low Earth Orbit Satellites service providers.[36]

NBN Co Limited

2.14The committee called officers from NBN Co Limited (NBN) and discussed the following matters:

NBN support for retail customers during recent natural disasters;[37]

Developments in the Sky Muster satellite service;[38]

NBN’s Fixed Wireless Upgrade program;[39] and

Updates on the government initiative to provide free community Wi-Fi to 24 First Nations communities.[40]

Senator Karen Grogan

Chair

Footnotes

[1]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, pp. 7–9 and 24–27.

[2]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, pp. 9–14.

[3]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, pp. 16–18.

[4]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, pp. 19–20.

[5]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, pp. 27–30.

[6]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, pp. 31–33.

[7]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, pp. 34–35.

[8]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, p. 22.

[9]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, pp. 22–24.

[10]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, pp. 36–37.

[11]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, pp. 37–38.

[12]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, pp. 39–40.

[13]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, pp. 41–42.

[14]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, pp. 42–43.

[15]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, pp. 43–44.

[16]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, pp. 45–46.

[17]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, pp. 46–48.

[18]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, pp. 49–52.

[19]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, p. 53.

[20]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, pp. 54–56.

[21]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, pp. 56–58.

[22]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, pp. 58–59.

[23]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, pp. 60–61.

[24]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, pp. 62–66.

[25]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, pp. 67–68.

[26]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, pp. 69–71.

[27]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, p. 72.

[28]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, pp. 73–75 and 77–78.

[29]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, pp. 75–77.

[30]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, pp. 79–80.

[31]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, pp. 83–84.

[32]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, pp. 84–87.

[33]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, pp. 87–89.

[34]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, pp. 89–92.

[35]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, pp. 93–94.

[36]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, pp. 94–97.

[37]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, pp. 98–100.

[38]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, pp. 100–101.

[39]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, pp. 101-105.

[40]Committee Hansard, 27 March 2025, pp. 105–106.