Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

(1) That the 2022-23 Budget estimates hearings be scheduled as follows:

Friday, 28 October until no later than 5 pm (Group A)

Monday, 7 November until no later than 11 pm (Group A)

Tuesday, 8 November until no later than 1 pm (Group A)

Tuesday, 8 November until no earlier than 2 pm until no later than 11 pm (Group B)

Wednesday, 9 November and Thursday, 10 November until no later than 11 pm (Group B).

(2) That cross portfolio estimates hearings on Indigenous matters and on Murray-Darling Basin Plan matters be scheduled for Friday, 11 November but not restricted to that day.

(3) That the committees consider the proposed expenditure in accordance with the allocation of departments and agencies to committees agreed to by the Senate.

(4) That committees meet in the following groups:

Group A:

Environment and Communications

Finance and Public Administration

Legal and Constitutional Affairs

Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport

Group B:

Community Affairs

Economics

Education and Employment

Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade.

(5) That the committees report to the Senate on Tuesday, 29 November 2022.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

President, I congratulate you on your appointment to the role.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The coalition will not stand in the way of these estimates dates put forward by the government. However, we note that the amount of time allocated is manifestly inadequate to properly scrutinise a budget. We also note the importance of the estimates process for the accountability and transparency of government spending of taxpayers' money. We will expect the government to return to the normal time allocated to budget estimates in 2023 to afford adequate time for this important parliamentary process. The Australian people expect us to hold the government to account and we deserve adequate time to do so.

Question agreed to.