Chapter 1Introduction
1.1On 5 February 2026, the Senate referred the following documents to the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee (the Committee) for examination and report:
particulars of proposed additional expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2026 [Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2025–26];
particulars of certain proposed additional expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2026 [Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2025–26] and
Final Budget Outcome 2024–25.
1.2The Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements for 2025–26 for the Defence portfolio and the Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio were tabled in the Senate on 5 February 2026 along with particulars of proposed additional expenditure in relation to the parliamentary departments in respect of the year ending 30 June 2026.
1.3The Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements for 2025–26 for the Department of Veterans' Affairs were presented in the Senate out of session on 11 February 2026.
1.4A reporting date of 31 March 2026 was set for the Committee to report on its consideration of the 2025–26 Additional Estimates.
Portfolio coverage
1.5The Committee has responsibility for examining the expenditure and outcomes of the following:
Defence portfolio (including Veterans' Affairs); and
Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio.
Hearings
1.6The Committee conducted public hearings on 11 February, 12 February and 10 March 2026.
1.7On 11 February 2026, the Committee examined the Department of Defence (Defence), Australian Submarine Agency and the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force.
1.8The following entities were released from the hearing:
Australian Signals Directorate;
Australian Strategic Policy Institute;
Veterans' Review Board; and
Australian War Memorial.
1.9The Committee received evidence from Senator the Hon Jenny McAllister, representing the Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP. The Committee also heard from Mr Greg Moriarty AO, Secretary, Department of Defence; Admiral David Johnston AC RAN, Chief of the Defence Force; Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead AO RAN, Director-General, Australian Submarine Agency, Mr James Gaynor, Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force and representatives from Defence and agencies.
1.10The Committee released the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA), the Repatriation Medical Authority (RMA) and Defence Housing Australia (DHA) from the hearing and agreed to hold an additional hearing at a later date.
1.11On 12 February 2026, the Committee examined the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (non-trade and trade programs) (DFAT), the Australian Trade and Investment Commission and Tourism Australia.
1.12The Committee received evidence from Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Senator the Hon Murray Watt, representing the Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Hon Don Farrell. The Committee also heard from Ms Jan Adams AO PSM, Secretary, DFAT; Mr Ravi Kewalram, acting Deputy Secretary, Trade and Investment Group, DFAT; Dr Paul Grimes PSM, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Trade and Investment Commission; Mr Robin Mack, Managing Director, Tourism Australia; and representatives from DFAT and agencies.
1.13Export Finance Australia was released from the hearing without questions.
1.14On 10 March 2026, the Committee examined DVA, the RMA and DHA. The Committee received evidence from Senator the Hon Jenny McAllister representing the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, the Hon Matt Keogh MP. The Committee also heard from Ms Alison Frame, Secretary, DVA; Professor Terence Campbell, Chair, RMA, Ms Lisa Barlin, acting Managing Director, DHA and representatives from DVA and agencies.
1.15The Committee expresses its appreciation for the assistance of the ministers and officials who appeared.
Questions on notice and Hansard transcript
1.16In accordance with Standing Order 26(9)(a), the Committee informed the departments and their agencies of the agreed deadline of Friday, 10 April 2026 for the responses to questions taken on notice. The Committee agreed a deadline of Friday, 24 April 2026 for answers to questions taken on notice at the additional hearing on 10 March 2026.
1.17The transcripts of these public hearings, answers to questions taken on notice and additional information are tabled in the Senate and published on the Committee's webpage. A list of documents tabled at the hearing are listed at Appendix 1.
Notes on references
1.18In this report references to Hansard page numbers are to the proof transcripts. Page numbers may vary between the proof and official transcripts.