Budget scrutiny to dominate parliament

A fortnight of parliament sittings will debate budget bills and examine ministers and officials in Senate estimates hearings.

The federal budget will come under the microscope during a fortnight-long parliament sitting starting on Monday.

While the lower house debates budget bills, senators will quiz ministers and senior government officials in estimates hearings.

The environment and communications committee will kick off its hearings looking at the Bureau of Meteorology, Clean Energy Regulator and water reform.

Officials from the Climate Change Authority will face questions about the success or otherwise of the government's Direct Action policy.

The bosses of the ABC, SBS and Australia Post will be on the stand in midweek, while the National Broadband Network and media reform will also be explored.

The finance and public administration committee is set to delve into problems within the Department of Parliamentary Services as well as public service job cuts.

Officials from government-owned shipbuilder ASC will face questions about plans to replace the Collins class submarines.

Immigration and national security issues will come under scrutiny at legal and constitutional affairs committee hearings over the week.

Agriculture Department officials are likely to face questions about their handling of the saga involving Hollywood star Johnny Depp's dogs.

Labor and the Greens will also seek details of how Barnaby Joyce's department is handling concerns about Australian cattle being mistreated in Vietnam.

In the lower house, Clive Palmer on Monday will introduce a private member's bill aimed at preventing the disclosure by police or other agencies of information that could lead to the death penalty being imposed on Australians overseas.

A package of budget appropriation bills will dominate government business.

On Wednesday, the parliament will receive a visit from New Zealand Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae.


Share

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world