Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move :

That the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee be required to convene a supplementary estimates meeting on Thursday, 26 June 2014 from 10 am for a period of no less than one hour for the purpose of asking for explanations from the Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and the General Manager Property and Tenancy Services of Defence Housing Australia concerning the performance of the agency and the scoping study investigating options for future ownership.

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government will be opposing Senator Conroy's motion. On 3 June 2014 the managing director at Defence Housing Australia and his staff attended as witnesses to the budget estimates hearing in readiness to answer any question to be put by the committee. I am advised that in consultation and with the express agreement of the deputy chair, the chair of the committee dismissed DHA on the second day of the hearing. Senator Conroy agreed to put further questions on notice, as is made clear in Hansard. There is nothing stopping Senator Conroy from asking his questions via the normal process. I note that there have been no events since the estimates hearings that would warrant the expense and disruption for the named officials who would be required to attend.

Question agreed to.