[Peetwo]

Update: Estimates & Sinodinos witch hunt inquiry.

In the wash up of the Grabor Party Sinodinos inquiry, apparently old mate Arthur decided not to turn up (link - HERE - for Hansard). With the presence of Liberal Senator Seselja some fireworks were guaranteed -

Senator SESELJA: Chair, I have a point of order. I would like to get a clarification if I could. Some have referred to this inquiry as a witch-hunt. In relation to other witnesses whom coalition senators wanted to see called, I would seek your clarification in relation to witnesses who could have shed light on the $40,000 donation washed through the Victorian AWU—people like Cesar Melhem; Ted Lockyer, from Unibilt; and a range of other players. Is there a reason why they were not asked to appear, or is this just about Senator Sinodinos?

Senator RHIANNON: Is there a reason that the New South Wales Liberals are not turning up and all the Liberal Party leadership—


Senator SESELJA: Senator Rhiannon, I have asked a question of the chair—and that was put to the committee, as I understand it. If you are going to pretend that this is not a witch-hunt and just about Senator Sinodinos, I think it is probably good to explain why Cesar Melhem and a range of others were not called given that there were serious allegations at the royal commission in regard to the washing of donations through the AWU, an associated entity—which is obviously directly within the terms of reference.

CHAIR: Those witnesses were considered by the committee and the committee resolved not to call them on the basis that they were not relevant to the terms of reference. You are putting a case—

Senator SESELJA: How are they not relevant?

CHAIR: It was not possible for the committee to discuss that because—

Senator WONG: Chair, on a point of order: Senator Seselja has asked for an explanation and you have provided it. We have witnesses before us. If we could proceed with the inquiry, we would appreciate it.

Senator SESELJA: So this is a 'get us' inquiry, not a 'get to the truth' inquiry.
CHAIR: Senator Seselja, we are now going to hear from our witnesses. I am unable to disclose to you or to anybody else the deliberations that took place in a private meeting, as you well know. The questions you are asking our out of order.

Senator SESELJA: But none of those people were called. Interesting.

 &..

CHAIR: I am concerned that you have not made the clear connection between the activities you are talking about and the question of political donations, because—


Senator SESELJA: You've got to be kidding!

CHAIR: nothing that you have presented describes or speaks to a political donation. However, I am prepared to give you the benefit of the doubt. I think the second point that Senator Ludwig makes, which is if you are in possession of documentation that is underpinning your line of questioning it would be helpful if other senators were able to take it.

Senator SESELJA: Well, they can go on the website of the trade union royal commission. It is publicly available information. This is obviously, clearly, just designed to shut down my questioning, Chair.

CHAIR: Senator Seselja, you have a piece of paper in front of you—

Senator SESELJA: I have a piece of paper, which is the terms of reference. I can read from the terms of reference to point out how relevant this is if you would like. It is an absurd proposition. I am asking questions about how associated entities are getting their money, and we have an inquiry into:

b.the powers of the Australian Electoral Commission with respect to supervision of the conduct of, and reporting by, associated entities …
What part of my questioning about these associated entities is not relevant?

This bit from the Chair - "..I further note that Senator Sinodinos says that this inquiry is 'too short'. In closing, I note that this committee would be very happy to entertain a recommendation from Senator Sinodinos that an inquiry be re-established for a longer period in the next parliament..."

Not that any pollie interested in self-preservation would seriously entertain such an inquiry; however if some enterprising independent did support such an inquiry, could we please call John Sharp & Albo to explain that 250k donation to the Federal Labor party...   
Moving on the following is a basic summary of the Estimates daily program:

2016-17 Budget Estimates


Meeting times to be determined by each Committee (approximately 9.00am – 11.00pm)

(Please note that Committees may agree to amend this schedule and the order that portfolios will be heard)

Consolidated Daily Program (as at the conclusion of each days's hearings)  (to be provided)

[b]Programs
[/b]
GROUP A: Committees in this group will hold a public hearing on estimates on Thursday, 5 May 2016

Environment and Communications (to be provided)

Environment: Thursday, 5 May 2016

Communications and the Arts: Thursday, 5 May 2016                      

Finance and Public Administration (to be provided)

Parliament: Thursday, 5 May 2016

Prime Minister & Cabinet: Thursday, 5 May 2016

Finance: Thursday, 5 May 2016

Cross-portfolio Indigenous matters: no hearing will be held              

Legal and Constitutional Affairs (to be provided)

Immigration and Border Protection: Thursday, 5 May 2016

Attorney-General's: Thursday, 5 May 2016

Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport (to be provided)          


Agriculture and Water Resources: Thursday, 5 May 2016


Infrastructure and Regional Development: Thursday, 5 May 2016

Hmm...Minister Nash & the committee will have a busy day..
Still haven't seen any sign of the 227 QON from last Estimates being answered anytime soon?

Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development


Questions on notice index: (PDF 948KB)
Answers are due 1 April 2016.

Tabled Documents
View File
1.) Document titled 'Flight Operations: Flight Standing Order: Application of Flight Time Limitations'. Tabled by Senator Nick Xenophon on 8 February 2016.
(PDF 1775KB)
2.) Document titled 'Information Brief: Melbourne Basin Coordination Incidents'. Tabled by Airservices Australia on 8 February 2016.
(PDF 1653KB)
3.) Document titled 'Information Brief: LAHSO at Melbourne Airport'. Tabled by Airservices Australia on 9 February 2016.
(PDF 4836KB)

Additional information and clarification of evidence
View File
1.) Correspondence received 15 February 2016 from Ms Judith Zielke, Deputy Secretary, Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development, correcting evidence given on 8 February 2016.
(PDF 506KB)
2.) Correspondence received 24 February 2016 from Mr Mark Skidmore AM, Chief Executive Officer, Civil Aviation Safety Authority, correcting evidence given on 8 February 2016.
(PDF 1757KB)

Given the tightened timetable due to the imminent calling of the DD, I can kind of understand but surely Minister Nash & miniscule Chester are kicking butts to get the AQON out in time...

Especially after the Senator Carr/Wong motion on the subject of unanswered QON & the subsequent smackdown from Senator "I'll be back" Cormann...  

MTF...P2