Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee
Scope
The Legislation Committee examines bills referred to it by the Senate, scrutinises proposed annual and additional government expenditure and oversees the performance of government departments and agencies, including their annual reports. Portfolios allocated to the committee since 2009 include defence, veterans' affairs, foreign affairs and trade.
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee hearing evidence from Senator Marise Payne, Minister for Defence, and officers from the Department of Defence at a supplementary budget estimates hearing, 25 October 2017. DPS Auspic.
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee supplementary budget estimates hearing, 25 October 2017. Seated in bottom row facing camera L-R: Senators Jacqui Lambie, Malcolm Roberts and Bridget McKenzie [Chair], Lyn Beverley [Secretary], Senators Alex Gallacher [Deputy Chair], Claire Moore and Kimberley Kitching. Seated in top row facing camera L-R: Senators Sue Lines and Malarndirri McCarthy. DPS Auspic.
Reports
Date tabled
Title
Read report
Budget estimates 2009-10
Parliamentary paper number 148/2009
Annual reports (No. 2 of 2009)
Parliamentary paper number 175/2009
Additional estimates 2009-10
Parliamentary paper number 78/2010
Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Approval of Overseas Service) Bill 2008 [No. 2]
Parliamentary paper number 167/2010
Annual reports (No. 1 of 2010)
Parliamentary paper number 79/2010
Consideration of Time Critical Bills: Export Market Development Grants Amendment Bill 2010 [Provisions]; and Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (2010 Budget Measures) Bill 2010 [Provisions] (presented out of session 3 June 2010)
Budget estimates 2010-11
Parliamentary paper number 164/2010
Australian Civilian Corps Bill 2010 [Provisions] (presented out of session on 20 August 2010)
Autonomous Sanctions Bill 2010 [Provisions] (presented out of session on 20 August 2010)
Defence Legislation Amendment (Security of Defence Premises) Bill 2010 (presented out of session on 20 August 2010)
Annual reports (No. 2 of 2010)
Parliamentary paper number 334/2010
Australian Civilian Corps Bill 2010 [Provisions]
Parliamentary paper number 396/2010
Defence Legislation Amendment (Security of Defence Premises) Bill 2010 [Provisions]
Parliamentary paper number 189/2011
Autonomous Sanctions Bill 2010 [Provisions]
Parliamentary paper number 189/2011
Additional estimates 2010-11
Parliamentary paper number 71/2011
Annual reports (No. 1 of 2011)
Parliamentary paper number 72/2011
Criminal Code Amendment (Cluster Munitions Prohibition) Bill 2010 [Provisions] (presented out of session on 25 March 2011)
Parliamentary paper number 189/2011
Budget estimates 2011-12
Parliamentary paper number 180/2011
Veterans' Entitlements Amendment Bill 2011 [Provisions]
Parliamentary paper number 456/2011
Annual reports (No. 2 of 2011)
Parliamentary paper number 191/2011
Annual reports (No. 1 of 2012)
Parliamentary paper number 97/2012
Additional estimates 2011-12
Parliamentary paper number 466/2012
Budget estimates 2012-13
Parliamentary paper number 467/2012
Military Court of Australia Bill 2012 [Provisions] and Military Court of Australia (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Bill 2012 [Provisions]
Parliamentary paper number 470/2012
Preliminary report: Defence Trade Controls Bill 2011 [Provisions]
Parliamentary paper number 469/2012
Annual reports (No. 2 of 2012)
Parliamentary paper number 465/2012
Final report: Defence Trade Controls Bill 2011 [Provisions]
Parliamentary paper number 470/2012
Annual reports (No. 1 of 2013)
Parliamentary paper number 235/2013
Additional estimates 2012-13
Parliamentary paper number 480/2013
Export Market Development Grants Amendment Bill 2013
Parliamentary paper number 486/2013
International Organisations (Privileges and Immunities) Amendment Bill 2013 (presented out of session on 4 June 2013)
Parliamentary paper number 487/2013
Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Amendment (New Mandate and Other Measures) Bill 2013 [Provisions] (presented out of session on 13 June 2013)
Parliamentary paper number 486/2013
Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Military Compensation Review and Other Measures) Bill 2013 [Provisions]
Parliamentary paper number 487/2013
Budget estimates 2013-14
Parliamentary paper number 481/2013
Progress report no. 1: Implementation of the Defence Trade Controls Act 2012
African Development Bank Bill 2013 [Provisions] (presented out of session on 20 August 2013)
Parliamentary paper number 491/2013
Defence Legislation Amendment (Woomera Prohibited Area) Bill 2013 (presented out of session on 20 August 2013) (Erratum tabled on 12 November 2013)
Parliamentary paper number 491/2013
Annual reports (No. 2 of 2013)
Parliamentary paper number 479/2013
Fair Trade (Workers' Rights) Bill 2013
Parliamentary paper number 456/2014
Defence Legislation Amendment (Woomera Prohibited Area) Bill 2013
Parliamentary paper number 456/2014
Additional estimates 2013-14
Parliamentary paper number 457/2014
Annual reports (No. 1 of 2014)
Parliamentary paper number 449/2014
Defence Legislation Amendment (Woomera Prohibited Area) Bill 2014
Parliamentary paper number 456/2014
Progress report no. 2: Implementation of the Defence Trade Controls Act 2012
Parliamentary paper number 138/2014
Budget estimates 2014-15
Parliamentary paper number 458/2014
Senator David Johnston, Minister for Defence, at a Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee budget estimates hearing, 2 June 2014. Seated at witness table L-R: Dennis Richardson [Secretary, Department of Defence], Senator the Hon David Johnston [Minister for Defence] and General David Hurley [Chief of the Defence Force].
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee budget estimates hearing, 2 June 2014. Top row L-R: Senators Peter Whish-Wilson and Stephen Conroy. Bottom row L-R: Senators Anne McEwen, David Fawcett and Alan Eggleston [Chair], and Owen Griffiths [Acting Secretary].
Committee members Senator John Faulkner and Christine Milne at budget estimates hearing, 2 June 2014.
Witnesses at Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee budget estimates hearing, 2 June 2014. Seated at witness table L-R: Witnesses Dennis Richardson [Secretary, Department of Defence], Senator David Johnston [Minister for Defence], General David Hurley [Chief of the Defence Force] and Vice Admiral Ray Griggs [Chief of Navy].
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee budget estimates hearing, 2 June 2014. Senator Helen Kroger seated in top row. Bottom row L-R: Senators Anne McEwen, David Fawcett and Alan Eggleston [Chair], Owen Griffiths [Acting Secretary], Senators Ursula Stephens [Deputy Chair], Christine Milne and John Faulkner.
Trade and Foreign Investment (Protecting the Public Interest) Bill 2014
Parliamentary paper number 462/2014
Annual reports (No. 2 of 2014)
Parliamentary paper number 450/2014
Customs Amendment (Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement Implementation) Bill 2014 [Provisions] and Customs Tariff Amendment (Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement Implementation) Bill 2014 [Provisions]
Parliamentary paper number 462/2014
Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Amendment (Direct Lending and Other Measures) Bill 2014 [Provisions]
Parliamentary paper number 516/2015
Defence Legislation Amendment (Military Justice Enhancements - Inspector-General ADF) Bill 2014
Parliamentary paper number 516/2015
Annual reports (No. 1 of 2015)
Parliamentary paper number 509/2015
Additional estimates 2014-15
Parliamentary paper number 511/2015
Progress report no. 3: Implementation of the Defence Trade Controls Act 2012
Parliamentary paper number 70/2015
Budget estimates 2015-16
Parliamentary paper number 512/2015
Video [duration 13:32] - Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee hearing with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 3 June 2015
Annual reports (No. 2 of 2015)
Parliamentary paper number 510/2015
International Aid (Promoting Gender Equality) Bill 2015
Parliamentary paper number 523/2015
Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (2015 Budget Measures) Bill 2015— Schedule 2 (presented out of session on 25 September 2015)
Parliamentary paper number 523/2015
Customs Amendment (China-Australia Free Trade Agreement Implementation) Bill 2015 [Provisions]; Customs Tariff Amendment (China-Australia Free Trade Agreement Implementation) Bill 2015 [Provisions]
Parliamentary paper number 523/2015
Annual reports (No. 1 of 2016)
Parliamentary paper number 466/2016
Additional Estimates 2015-16 (presented out of session on 24 March 2016)
Parliamentary paper number 487/2016
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee additional estimates hearing, 10 February 2016. Top row L-R: Senators Lee Rhiannon, Jacqui Lambie, Stephen Conroy and Joe Ludwig. Bottom row L-R: Senators Linda Reynolds, David Fawcett and Chris Back [Chair], Tim Bryant [Secretary], Senators Alex Gallacher [Deputy Chair] and Anne McEwen. DPS Auspic.
Committee member Senator Nick Xenophon, 10 February 2016. DPS Auspic.
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee additional estimates hearing, 10 February 2016. L-R: Department of Defence witnesses Rear Admiral Greg Sammut [Head, Future Submarine Program], Stephen Johnson [General Manager, Submarines] and Dennis Richardson [Secretary] with Senator the Hon Marise Payne [Minister for Defence] and Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin [Chief of the Defence Force]. DPS Auspic.
Committee member Senator Anne McEwen questioning witnesses, 10 February 2016. Top row L-R: Senators Jacqui Lambie, Stephen Conroy and Joe Ludwig. Bottom row L-R: Senators Alex Gallacher [Deputy Chair] and Anne McEwen. DPS Auspic.
Committee members from left: Senators Linda Reynolds, David Fawcett and Chris Back [Chair], Tim Bryant [Secretary] and Senator Anne McEwen, 10 February 2016. DPS Auspic.
Annual reports (No. 2 of 2016)
Parliamentary paper number 467/2016
Civil Nuclear Transfers to India Bill 2016 [Provisions]
Parliamentary paper number 490/2016
Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Amendment (Support for Commonwealth Entities) Bill 2016 [Provisions]
Parliamentary paper number 3/2017
Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Digital Readiness and Other Measures) Bill 2016 [Provisions] (presented out of session on 20 February 2017)
Parliamentary paper number 44/2017
Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Legislation Amendment (Defence Force) Bill 2016 [Provisions]
Parliamentary paper number 45/2017
Annual reports (No. 1 of 2017)
Parliamentary paper number 100/2017
Additional estimates 2016-17 (presented out of session on 10 April 2017)
Parliamentary paper number 105/2017
Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Omnibus) Bill 2017 [Provisions]
Parliamentary paper number 169/2017
Consideration of Time Critical Bills: Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Budget Measures) Bill 2017
Budget estimates 2017-18
Parliamentary paper number 180/2017
Annual reports (No. 2 of 2017)
Parliamentary paper number 627/2017
Annual reports (No. 1 of 2018)
Parliamentary paper number 62/2018
Intelligence Services Amendment (Establishment of the Australian Signals Directorate) Bill 2018 [Provisions]
Parliamentary paper number 70/2018
Additional estimates 2017-18
Parliamentary paper number 85/2018
Consideration of Time Critical Bills: Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Veteran-centric Reforms No. 2) Bill 2018 [Provisions]
Parliamentary paper number 190/2018
Budget estimates 2018-19
Parliamentary paper number 215/2018
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee Top row L-R: Senators Rex Patrick and Sue Lines. Senator Alex Gallacher [Deputy Chair] at bottom left. DPS Auspic.
Committee chair Senator Linda Reynolds at budget estimates hearing, 29 May 2018. DPS Auspic.
Greg Moriarty, Secretary of the Department of Defence, answering questions with Rebecca Skinner [Acting Associate Secretary, Department of Defence] and Senator the Hon Marise Payne, Minister for Defence (right), 29 May 2018. DPS Auspic.
Annual reports (No. 2 of 2018)
Parliamentary paper number 282/2018
Defence Amendment (Sovereign Naval Shipbuilding) Bill 2018
Parliamentary paper number 74/2019
Australian Veterans’ Recognition (Putting Veterans and their Families First) Bill 2019 [Provisions] (presented out of session on 22 March 2019)
Parliamentary paper number 136/2019
Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Amendment (Support for Infrastructure Financing) Bill 2019 [Provisions] (presented out of session on 26 March 2019)
Parliamentary paper number 137/2019
Additional estimates 2018-19
Parliamentary paper number 151/2019
Budget estimates 2019-20 (presented out of session on 14 May 2019)
Parliamentary paper number 173/2019
Annual reports (No. 1 and No. 2 of 2019)
Parliamentary paper number 217/2019
Annual reports (No. 1 of 2020)
Parliamentary paper number 50/2020
Additional estimates 2019-20 (presented out of session on 24 March 2020)
Parliamentary paper number 82/2020
Annual reports (No. 2 of 2020)
Parliamentary paper number 243/2020
Defence Legislation Amendment (Enhancement of Defence Force Response to Emergencies) Bill 2020 (presented out of session on 4 November 2020)
Parliamentary paper number 463/2020
Australia’s Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Bill 2020 [Provisions] and Australia’s Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2020 [Provisions] (presented out of session on 5 November 2020)
Parliamentary paper number 470/2020
Budget estimates 2020-21 (presented out of session on 17 November 2020)
Parliamentary paper number 494/2020
Export Market Development Grants Legislation Amendment Bill 2020 [Provisions] (presented out of session on 26 November 2020)
Parliamentary paper number 512/2020
National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention Bill 2020 [Provisions] and National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2020 [Provisions]
Parliamentary paper number 526/2020
Annual reports (No. 1 of 2021)
Parliamentary paper number 34/2021
Additional estimates 2020-21 (presented out of session on 20 April 2021)
Parliamentary paper number 104/2021
Customs Amendment (Banning Goods Produced by Uyghur Forced Labour) Bill 2020
Parliamentary paper number 168/2021
Budget estimates 2021-22 (presented out of session on 13 July 2021)
Parliamentary paper number 203/2021
Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Amendment (Equity Investments and Other Measures) Bill 2021 [Provisions] (presented out of session on 20 August 2021)
Parliamentary paper number 235/2021
Annual reports (No. 2 of 2021)
Parliamentary paper number 242/2021
Defence Legislation Amendment (Discipline Reform) Bill 2021 [Provisions] (presented out of session on 14 October 2021)
Parliamentary paper number 302/2021
Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Approval of Overseas Service) Bill 2020
Budget estimates 2022-23 (presented out of session on 16 May 2022)
Annual reports (No. 1 and No. 2 of 2022) (presented out of session on 23 June 2022)
Parliamentary paper number 184/2022
Budget Estimates 2022-23
Annual reports (No. 1 of 2023)
Budget estimates 2023-24 (presented out of session on 27 June 2023)
Annual report (No. 2 of 2023)
Annual reports (No. 1 of 2024)
Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Bill 2023 and Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety (Transitional Provisions) Bill 2023 (presented out of session on 13 May 2024)
Migration Amendment (Overseas Organ Transplant Disclosure and Other Measures) Bill 2023
Budget estimates 2024-25 (presented out of session on 12 July 2024)
Annual reports (No. 2 of 2024)
Veterans' Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Bill 2024 (presented out of session on 3 October 2024) (additional information tabled 10 October 2024)
Performance of the Department of Defence in supporting the capability and capacity of Australia's defence industry
Annual reports (No. 1 of 2025)
Additional estimates 2024-25
Budget estimates 2025-26 (presented out of session on 19 May 2025)
Annual reports (No. 2 of 2025)
Annual reports (No. 2 of 2025)
Review of Schedule 9 of the Veterans' Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Act 2025 (presented out of session on 29 August 2025)
Review of Schedule 9 of the Veterans' Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Act 2025 (presented out of session on 29 August 2025
Defence Amendment (Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal) Bill 2025 (presented out of session on 21 November 2025)
![Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee supplementary budget estimates hearing, 25 October 2017. Seated in bottom row facing camera L-R: Senators Jacqui Lambie, Malcolm Roberts and Bridget McKenzie [Chair], Lyn Beverley [Secretary], Senators Alex Gallacher [Deputy Chair], Claire Moore and Kimberley Kitching. Seated in top row facing camera L-R: Senators Sue Lines and Malarndirri McCarthy. DPS Auspic.](/assets/committees/body-images/c071/c071-pb16059.jpg)