FAILING ALBANESE GOVERNMENT EXPOSED
The Albanese Government’s disastrous economic policies, wanton spending, lies, broken promises and ideological obsessions have once again been laid bare by the Coalition in Senate Estimates hearings.
There were revelations across all portfolios when Coalition Senators focused on the failures of a government that is driving the country in the wrong direction.
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Senator Michaelia Cash said: “Australians are getting sick and tired of a Prime Minister who has trouble telling the truth and a government that is wrecking our great Nation.”
“During Senate Estimates the Coalition was able to expose the lies and get to the truth of how badly dysfunctional this Government is.’’
“A week of Senate Estimates makes the Coalition even more determined to stop Labor’s assault on aspiration by axing Labor’s toxic taxes, introduce our tax back guarantee and back small businesses,’’ she said.
Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Senator Anne Ruston said: “Estimates has shown again how terrible the Albanese government is and how they recklessly spend tax payers money.”
“Only the Liberals and Nationals have the strong leadership, strong team, and strong plan to restore Australians’ standard of living and protect our way of life.”
Labor’s savings lie as extra spending tops $100 billion
Despite highlighting that the Government should be judged on its net policy decisions, Treasury Secretary Jenny Wilkinson did not know the total net policy decisions taken by the Labor Government since coming to office totals over $100 billion in additional spending. Officials from Treasury confirmed this figure, yet Katy Gallagher continues to claim $180 billion in gross savings. She denies the consequences of the $100 billion in additional net spending decisions. For every $2 Labor claim to have saved they have actually spent $3 which is keeping inflation and interest rates higher for longer. Meanwhile, Treasurer Jim Chalmers has said he will not commit to delivering net saving decisions in the mid-year update.
RBA confirms inflation figures are too high
Senator Jane Hume questioned RBA Governor Michele Bullock immediately upon the release of crucial inflation data for next week’s rates decision. The Governor confirmed inflation remains too high and that the fundamental supply and demand imbalance in our domestic economy remains. When asked directly if government spending is a factor to Australia’s high inflation, the Governor responded by saying “Yes, to the extent that it is contributing to aggregate demand, and aggregate demand is above supply, then it’s contributing to that.”
Mulino’s ATO surcharge timeline doesn’t add up
Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino’s timeline of events relating to the ATO surcharge ban is looking murky. In the Economics Committee, the ATO Commissioner said the Assistant Treasurer had written to all ministers and agencies about the surcharge ban back on April 28. This contradicts what Mulino said on Insiders on 18 October that "in July, the government became aware that the ATO was looking at options". This follows the mea culpa from the ATO Commissioner that the consultation was bungled.
$6 million Marrickville Golf Club lie exposed
Labor’s $560 million community infrastructure program sent 73 per cent of its money to Labor seats, including $6 million for the Marrickville Golf Club in the Prime Minister’s electorate. The Prime Minister told the Parliament the money was to stop sewage flowing into the Cooks River. The Prime Minister’s department confirmed it put the golf club on the list of election commitments it sent to the Infrastructure Department. It could not explain what the project was for, or whether anyone told the Prime Minister his statement to the Parliament was wrong. The Labor chair cut the questions off.
Bondi-linked terrorist released
Coalition questioning unearthed that convicted Islamic State terrorist Isaac El Matari, who has been linked to one of the alleged perpetrators of the Bondi massacre, was to be released from prison on 1 November, with no continuing detention application sought by the AFP. The AFP confirmed that it had applied to the Federal Court for an interim control order to manage the threat associated with El Matari's release. However, police also confirmed they had received no instruction concerning a continuing detention order to keep him imprisoned beyond the expiry of his sentence.
Secret defence cuts revealed
Following Senate Estimates in April, Defence finally revealed some of the defence capabilities the Albanese Government cut in the 2026 Integrated Investment Program. We learned that the $5 billion in cuts over the next four years include cancelling deployable air force infrastructure and air traffic control capability, early retirement of our sea mine hunting ships, early cancellation of the C-27J Spartan battlefield airlift aircraft, further delays to integrated air and missile defence capabilities, and more. However, around 10 of the 22 programs being cut, descoped or delayed still remain secret. Defence confirmed that $10 billion of capability has been cut over the next decade.
Defence can’t rule out more cuts to defence capability
Responding to a report in the Nightly by Andrew Greene, the Secretary of the Department of Defence would not rule out further cuts to defence capability under a pre-MYEFO budget review she described as “business as usual”. It has certainly become “business as usual” to cut defence capability every 6 months under Labor. When expressly asked if there would be further cuts to the Hunter-Class Frigate program, Infantry Fighting Vehicles, or even AUKUS, the Secretary confirmed that all options are on the table.
Pre-COP bill hits $34 million
No wonder inflation is out of control and rates are rising: the cost of holding Pre-COP has jumped to $34 million. Officials confirmed the budget, while also confirming that $8 million alone was set aside for luxury hotels in Fiji.
Pre-pre-COP held in Sydney at five-star hotel
Everyone knows about Pre-COP, but what about Pre-pre-COP? It was confirmed that Chris Bowen’s Department held a series of “workshops” in Sydney’s Darling Harbour prior to the Fiji and Tuvalu climate conference. The five-star Sofitel was the hotel of choice, with a budget of $680,000 allocated.
Biological men can get breastfeeding protections
Sex Discrimination Commissioner Anna Cody has confirmed at Senate Estimates that breastfeeding discrimination protections could extend to biological men who identify as women and who medically induce lactation. Under questioning from Senator Blyth she said that is because breastfeeding is widely defined within the Sex Discrimination Act to include induced lactation. Shadow Attorney-General Senator Michaelia Cash said: “Under Anthony Albanese, men can be women. Men who identify as women get the protections afforded to women. Most Australians will think this is crazy stuff, but this is life under our Prime Minister, the woke ideologist Anthony Albanese.”
Government won’t recognise biological women
The Albanese Government confirmed at Senate Estimates they would not support changes to the Sex Discrimination Act to protect biological women. Under questioning from Shadow Attorney-General Senator Michaelia Cash, Minister Don Farrell said the government did not support her bill to recognise biological women and men in the Sex Discrimination Act. Senator Cash said: “Only the Coalition will protect the rights of biological women and girls.’’
AHRC bosses coached by communication consultant
Taxpayers paid for senior Australian Human Rights Commission staff to be coached by a communications expert on how to answer questions at Senate Estimates. Under questioning from Shadow Attorney-General Senator Michaelia Cash the AHRC President Hugh de Kretser admitted they had engaged a communications consultant to assist with preparation for answering estimates questions. He took on notice how much the consultant cost. Senator Cash said: “There was a strategy used by the AHRC to avoid answering as many questions as possible. Taxpayers have paid out money with the result being that they get fewer answers on issues of interest. It is a disgrace.’’
No answers on women only events
The Sex Discrimination Commissioner refused to give clarity to small businesses who want to women-only events. When questioned at Senate Estimates by Shadow Attorney-General Senator Michaelia Cash the commissioner Anna Cody refused to give an guidance on weather events could be held for biological women only. Senator Cash said: “I was asking a genuine question on behalf of a small business but could not get an answer. The law needs to change to bring common sense back to the Sex Discrimination Act.’’
No medical advice on induced lactation
Sex Discrimination Commissioner Dr Anna Cody admitted under questioning from Senator Blyth that the Australian Human Rights Commission did not seek medical advice before publishing its report examining pregnancy, breastfeeding and family responsibilities discrimination, which included a case study involving induced lactation. Despite questions about the safety and effectiveness of induced lactation, Dr Cody confirmed the commission had relied on research reviews and stakeholder consultations without seeking independent medical advice.
Labor lets Departments mark their own homework
The Alliance of Industry Associations recently raised concerns with the Government about its consultation framework. Those concerns come as the Office of Impact Analysis, the agency responsible for promoting best practice in impact analysis and consultation, has seen its role stripped back under changes introduced in July. The OIA has confirmed departments now assess the quality of their own analysis, effectively marking their own homework, while its role is largely reduced to publishing assessments on its website and offering workshops and guidance on request.
WGEA red tape reform stalled four years on
Four years after the Government agreed to recommendations of the Workplace Gender Equality Act review, reforms to use existing Single Touch Payroll data to reduce duplicative reporting remain stuck in “ongoing conversations” with the ATO. Despite stakeholders repeatedly calling for a “tell us once” approach to cut red tape, the Government has no clear work plan or timetable for implementation. While Labor talks about reducing regulatory burdens on business, it has failed to progress a reform that could deliver meaningful relief.
Gallagher dodges $1.8 Million payout bill
Katy Gallagher washed her hands of questions about the $1.8 million cost to taxpayers of terminating two departmental secretaries since September 2025. Despite being responsible for the public service, the Finance Minister refused to say whether further terminations were being considered or whether the significant payouts concerned her, claiming the decisions were outside her portfolio responsibilities. While taxpayers foot the bill, Gallagher is refusing to take responsibility for the budget impact.
Gallagher rejects auditor’s findings on consultants
In extraordinary evidence to the Finance and Public Administration Committee, Public Service Minister Katy Gallagher disputed the Australian National Audit Office's findings on Labor's program to reduce consultant spending and bring work back in-house. The ANAO found that while agencies reported $542.3 million in reductions against a $527.6 million target, only 30 of 75 agencies fully met their individual targets. More concerningly, the audit found that 12 of 22 sampled entities reported $90.3 million in reductions under the framework while their overall external labour expenses increased by $375.4 million. The ANAO warned that agencies could meet their targets even while total spending on external labour increased. Despite these findings, Senator Gallagher told Senate estimates she disagreed with the ANAO's analysis, arguing that the framework was intended to target a specific subset of outsourced work rather than all external workforce spending.
Services Australia’s inadequate cybersecurity
Services Australia CEO David Hazlehurst confirmed he received both ANAO reports which warned cybersecurity and data privacy was a problem prior to the OpenAI breach. The ANAO said the department’s cybersecurity was ‘partly effective’ in two scathing reports, the first of which was published on June 14, 2024. Amazingly, Services Australia implemented the final recommendation of those reports into their cyber security incidents literally the day they were notified by Open AI of the breach. Despite the timing, Katy Gallagher said she believed it ‘wouldn’t have changed anything’. The final recommendation was recommendation 13, which related to ‘protective security’. Two reviews noted SA’s cybersecurity was ‘partly effective’ with Senator Hume questioning why urgency wasn’t a priority.
28 public servants a day but Gallagher still in denial
Katy Gallagher failed to accept her own hiring spree was at a rate, on average, of 28 public servants a day. When the numbers in her own Budget papers were clearly laid out the Minister for the Public Service continued to deny she presided over the biggest public service on record, over 200,000 public servants.
Wong’s admission on Palestinian statehood
Foreign Minister Penny Wong admitted the government does not care if the Palestinian Authority makes no progress on the conditions Australia placed on recognising Palestinian statehood, because they are not really conditions at all. Senator Paterson sought the Government’s assessment of progress on reforms that were meant to be the conditions for Australia recognising a State of Palestine: governance, education, ending payments to terrorists, demilitarisation (including disarming Hamas), and holding elections. Despite admitting a disappointing lack of progress across almost all criteria, Minister Wong made clear she would not consider revoking recognition.
Caught out spreading misinformation on Israel
In September 2026, Penny Wong told the United Nations that 15,000 children had been displaced in the West Bank over the first six months of 2026. However, DFAT conceded this figure is factually incorrect and yet DFAT website still has the factually incorrect 15,000 figure. Wong claimed the error was corrected, but only on background to a journalist. Like her leader, it looks like Penny Wong has a hard time admitting when she makes a mistake. It took Senate Estimates for Foreign Minister Wong to come clean over this error and the failure to correct it.
Defence could not rule out banning Israeli technology
Following article in The Australian by Ben Packham detailing Defence’s plans to acquire medium-range integrated air and missile defence (IAMD) system, Senator Paterson sought confirmation from Defence that Israeli technology would be given a fair chance to compete. Secretary of Defence refused to rule out the Government setting aside any Israeli technology based on its country of origin. Albanese Government Minister Murray Watt said that Australia would seek the most suitable technology. The conflicting answers added weight to concerns the Albanese Government has instituted an inexplicit shadow ban against Israeli defence tech for misguided domestic political reasons.
Air and missile defence delayed until mid-2030s
Following a report in The Australian by Ben Packham that missile and air defence capability would not be fully operational until the mid-2030s, Senator Paterson sought confirmation of the intended timeline. While the ADF cited a classified Operational Concept Document to withhold the delivery date, the acquisition agency cited a conflicting tender document that did in fact highlight the mid-2030s as the delivery date. The program, Land 6504 Medium-Range Ground Based Air and Missile Defence, is a delayed version of a program that was absorbed into Air 6500 in 2024 and is only now approaching the market. CLIP:
Coalition uncovers cuts to deployed ADF pay
Amidst increasing cost of living in countries around the world, Senator Paterson uncovered Defence has reduced deployment take home pay for ADF personnel in many posting locations. These cuts to ADF deployment meals and incidents allowance was implemented to achieve consistency with deployed APS officials, aligning ADF take home pay with those deployed by DFAT.
Pat Conroy humiliated over nuclear submarines
Defence officials clarified that the rotational presence of US and UK nuclear-powered submarines in Australia is an “enduring arrangement”, directly contradicting earlier claims by Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy on the ABC’s 7:30 report in July 2026 that the rotational presence would end by 2032. Defence confirmed that the Submarine Rotational Force-West at HMAS Stirling in Perth is being built to support allied submarine rotations beyond the 2032 delivery of Australia's first Virginia-class submarine, despite the embarrassing claims made by Pat Conroy. Defence officials also took the opportunity to correctly articulate Australia's positions on nuclear non-proliferation and US deterrence policy, cleaning up Pat Conroy's embarrassing mess.
Political attack only taken down after complaint
Officials from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations had to rectify their previous evidence to the Education and Employment Committee after it was revealed a political media release attacking Senator Price sat on the department’s website for nine days. In June the officials told us that it was taken down "within 24 hours". Now we know, it went up on 2 March and came down on 11 March, the day after Senator Price's office complained. And the Department’s $231,000 of media monitoring did not even pick it up.
Is AFP taking corruption seriously on construction sites?
In response to questioning from Senator Jane Hume, the General Manager of the Fair Work Commission Murray Furlong confirmed the AFP refused to brief him beyond its working groups in relation to corruption on construction sites. He agreed the CFMEU Administrator's work is wasted without law enforcement action. So it raises the question, just how serious the Albanese Government is about cleaning up corruption on construction sites?
What has the CFMEU Administration achieved
In concerning evidence provided to the Education and Employment Committee, it was revealed there are no benchmarks for the CFMEU Administration after two years. There is no progress tracker; nobody tracks the 150 staff who have left the CFMEU, and DEWR has no data on removed persons holding entry permits. 12 of 13 people who applied for certificates to work, hold office or bargain despite the restrictions were successful. Officials' figures (214 removed on day one, plus 27 since) undercut the Minister's claim of about 350 people removed.
Minister concedes corruption goes beyond the CFMEU
Minister Walsh, representing Minister Rishworth in the Workplace Relations portfolio, claimed “I think there's evidence that there is corruption in the industry as a whole or, you know, in parts of the industry”. While at the same time, she conceded corruption on construction sites extends beyond the CFMEU. Yet the Government refuses to back the Coalition’s Senate inquiry into corruption in construction.
FWO review of Victorian Big Build
Former Minister Tony Burke asked the Fair Work Ombudsman in July 2024 to examine potential Fair Work Act breaches involving CFMEU agreements on Victorian Big Build projects. The FWO wrote to every employer it could identify with a CFMEU agreement working on Victorian Big Build or government sites. The FWO revealed that employers generally welcomed having CFMEU agreements because they provided access to government work. However, it received more feedback from employers concerned they could not obtain agreements needed to access sites. Some employers alleged that previous disagreements with the CFMEU or historical relationships with the rival AWU had prevented them from securing agreements. The FWO acknowledged these allegations had not been verified. Asked whether the review or allegations had resulted in formal investigations or proceedings, FWO replied: “No because it’s outside of our jurisdiction.”
How’s this for transparency and accountability!
Minister Rishworth decided to make things very uncomfortable for the Fair Work Commission by tabling their Annual Report at the very same time they were still at the Estimates table giving evidence. General Manager Murray Furlong apologised for the late tabling of the report but made it clear that it was very out of character for the Commission to table so late. Every other Annual Report Mr Furlong has been responsible for, was tabled prior to the Estimates period. Had the day’s schedule gone to plan, the FWC would have been long gone by that time! So what was it that the Minister was trying to hide? Perhaps it is the fact that the Annual Report shows zero new investigations into registered organisations and zero infringement notices.
15 months without consequences for refusing work
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations officials confirmed that from 5 July 2025 until 26 October 2026, a jobseeker could have refused a suitable job and kept refusing, and their payment “couldn’t be paused or suspended or cancelled”. The department confirmed there were no consequences for refusal. The department couldn’t say whether job refusals were even recorded while the suspension powers was paused.
Unlawful cancellations leave $43.9 million bill
In response to questioning from Senator O’Sullivan, the Secretary of the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations confirmed that some past payment cancellation decisions under the Targeted Compliance Framework were “unlawful”. The department will invite 50,652 people to claim compensation. $43.9 million over four years was set aside at MYEFO to cover both compensation and IT work to bring the system back into legal compliance.
Poor performance isn’t stopping job provider extensions
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations own provider performance ratings rate 22 of 169 Workforce Australia licences at “low”. 15 are low on sustained employment, and four have been low for five quarters running. Departmental officials said performance improvement plans had been used “quite successfully” despite 14 licences extended on those plans last year, only two had improved by 31 March. The department couldn’t say how many have improved since, or whether any of the 22 will miss out on an extension to October 2028.
Labor turns jobs target into a stretch goal
Workforce Australia’s headline measure is the share of people who get a job and are still in it six months later. The 15 per cent target for the measure has never been met since reporting began. The latest figure is 12.9 per cent. Rather than fix the result, DEWR relabelled the target a “stretch” target in its latest corporate plan. When asked by Senator Hume what a minimum acceptable rate is, department officials wouldn’t “speculate” on a number.
Kennedy disowns his board submission
The Secretaries Board is every departmental secretary, chaired by the Secretary of the Prime Minister’s department, Dr Steven Kennedy. In August it asked the Parliament to restrict senators sharing estimates footage and to give committee chairs the power to remove senators from hearings. The Board never met to approve the submission. It took no legal advice. It did not consult the Clerk of the Senate. The Prime Minister’s Office did not object to the submission. Under questioning at estimates, Dr Kennedy walked away from the document. Public servants cannot withhold consent to the use of their evidence, he conceded. The Board did not mean to stop senators accusing officials of lying. Removing senators was “not what it’s saying”. Three times his officials said the submission “could have been worded better”. Having disowned the words, Dr Kennedy refused to withdraw or correct them.
$200 million credit card ban: reversed eight days later
On 1 October the Tax Office stopped accepting credit cards rather than absorb $200 million a year in fees, with one day’s notice to small business. Eight days later the Government reversed it, after the head of the Chamber of Commerce texted the Prime Minister. Despite knowing about the surcharge ban from March, the Prime Minister’s department admitted its only advice to the Prime Minister came on 9 October, after the ban had taken effect. Whether the Prime Minister attended that meeting is now a question on notice. Officials could not explain why a $200 million cost was never considered before the decision was made.
$7 billion refugee commitment: made by text message
On 27 August the Prime Minister texted a journalist that Australia’s refugee intake would stay at 20,000 places, the same day his own Minister’s office confirmed a cut to 13,750. The Parliamentary Budget Office puts the difference at more than $7 billion. Neither the Secretary nor the department’s policy group cleared that commitment. No decision-making process has taken place. Officials say it will be dealt with in the December budget update. Asked whether the Budget still assumes the lower number, Dr Kennedy said: “Honestly, I don’t know.”
Cabinet overruled by mystery leadership group
In August, cabinet approved a migration package and the Home Affairs Minister booked the National Press Club to announce it. The speech was pulled the day before. The ABC and the Financial Review reported that a “leadership group” of senior ministers had stopped it. The Prime Minister’s department says no such group exists, that it supports no such group, and that it learned of the cancellation through the media. Nobody could say who stopped a cabinet-approved policy from being announced.
AHRC nominates activist Ethan Floyd for award
Activist Ethan Floyd has been nominated as a finalist for the Young People’s award by the Australian Human Rights Commission, it was confirmed at Senate Estimates. Mr Floyd was part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which sailed to Gaza in April 2026. On 5 May this year Mr Floyd was a listed speaker at a public forum in Darlington titled “Why it’s right to say: Globalise the Intifada”, organised to oppose the NSW Government’s proposal to prohibit that phrase. Under questioning from Shadow Attorney-General Senator Michaelia Cash, Minister Don Farrell refused to criticise the nomination saying the AHRC was independent of government.
Kept in the dark over Fair Work Court
The Albanese Government did not consult with the Chief Justices of the Federal Court and the Federal Circuit and Family Court before they announced they would be establishing a new Fair Work Court. Under questioning by Shadow Attorney-General Senator Michaelia Cash at Senate Estimates officials from the Attorney-General’s Department admitted the Chief Justices were only informed shortly before the announcement of the new court was made. Senator Cash said: “Seeing as fair work matters are routinely handled in these courts its an absolute disgrace they were not consulted before the announcement.’’
Labor caught rorting another grants program
Senate estimates have revealed a second infrastructure grants program has been used to funnel funding into Labor-held seats. Under questioning from Shadow Minister for Urban Infrastructure and Cities, Senator James McGrath, the government refused to deny that 23 out of 25 projects funded under the $150 million urban Precincts and Partnerships Program (uPPP) were in Labor-held seats. According to analysis by Senator McGrath, the remaining two projects were located in seats held by Independents. “Labor has been caught out again funnelling money into their seats, in a clear case of pork-barrelling,” Senator McGrath said. “The Prime Minister and his Infrastructure Minister should hang their heads in shame.”
Labor’s inflation adds $2.5 billion to Snowy 2.0 costs
CEO of Snowy 2.0 Dennis Barnes confirmed in Senate Estimates that since 2023, $2.5 billion of “inflationary increases” have contributed to the now $25 billion blowout. Minister Murray Watt decided to defend the inflation impact, telling Senators that he “experienced cost inflation when I renovated my home.” Snowy’s a bit different to building a home, Minister.
Snowy 2.0 requests new round of Government support
CEO of Snowy 2.0 Dennis Barnes confirmed in Senate Estimates that they have requested a new “support package” from the Government. Asked to explain how much this might cost, Mr Barnes confirmed that it would be in the billions. Mr Barnes explained that the new bailout would be required by mid-2027 to avoid any potential downgrade in Snowy’s S&P rating.
Unions feast off Snowy: New EBA costs $1 billion
After years of trying to extract a dollar amount, CEO of Snowy 2.0 Dennis Barnes confirmed that the likely cost of the new union-led enterprise bargaining agreement would cost around $1 billion. Asked whether the new EBA included any specific productivity-related clauses, Mr Barnes said there was not.
Net present value test for Snowy 2.0 not a priority
Among the many numbers proffered by Chris Bowen since the $25 billion budget blowout, a revised ‘net present value’ is not one of them. CEO of Snowy 2.0 Dennis Barnes confirmed that a new net present value was not on the cards, despite a revised figure being produced following the failed 2023 project reset.
Pre-COP RSVP list still under lock and key
Chris Bowen said the Albanese Labor Government had “invited world leaders” to attend the climate snooze-fest. The only problem is that Chris Bowen and his department, along with Prime Minister & Cabinet, all refused to release the list of who was invited to the luxury climate conference in Fiji and Tuvalu.
Climate Youth Ambassador’s world tour
Handpicked climate warrior Sally Higgins’ travel bill would make even Chris Bowen blush. The Climate Youth Ambassador racked up a mega $50,000 travel bill. Ms Higgins travelled from London, Germany, South Korea and other destinations - all while in business class.
Labor’s mega renewables fund collapsing in real time
In a stunning admission, Chris Bowen’s boffins confirmed that 27 renewable energy projects greenlit to receive government support under the Capacity Investment Scheme have collapsed, with negotiations on the projects ceasing. Officials confirmed that the 27 projects represent a forgone capacity of around 9.4 GW.
Capacity Investment Scheme fails to deliver
It was also confirmed that of the 109 projects announced to date under the underwriting scheme, just 49 - less than half - had been contracted.
Bowen’s batteries blowout the budget
Originally conceived of as a $2.3 billion program, the government’s flagship home battery program spent $4.63 billion in just over a year. This massive blowout was confirmed by officials who conceded that the original design of the program had been “too generous.”
A lotto money, but where has it gone?
Department of Home Affairs officials floundered when trying to account for how funding allocated back in May 2026 to Albanese Government immigration policy changes had been spent, including on its controversial new ballot system for second and third year Working Holiday Maker visas. When questioned about the $12.9 million allocated to the Better Selecting Migrants measure, officials were completely unable to account for the specifics of the expenditure (including on how much had been spent on the new ballot system) or even to identify how many Departmental staff were working on its implementation.
Counter-terrorism cracks exposed
A confidential review of Australia’s Joint Counter-Terrorism Teams, ordered in the wake of the Bondi terrorist attack, has identified inconsistencies in leadership, resourcing, training and information sharing arrangements across the country. Counter-Terrorism Coordinator Brendan Dowling revealed that the review, recommended by the Antisemitism and Social Cohesion Royal Commission, had been completed and handed to the Department of Home Affairs on 13 October. Its recommendations include addressing deficiencies in coordination between agencies and improving how terrorism investigations are managed and referred.
Is the last ISIS bride coming to Australia?
A senior Department of Home Affairs official revealed that he was unaware of any current efforts to repatriate the last remaining Australian ISIS Bride and her child from Syria. Counter-Terrorism Coordinator Brendan Dowling said that he had no knowledge of any arrangements, including through the involvement of third parties, to facilitate the travel of those two people to Australia. A multitude of previous ISIS Bride returns were facilitated with assistance from third parties, including Sydney doctor Jamal Rifi, raising many concerns about the extent of the Government's involvement with travel organised outside of official channels.
Government's intent on Dr Jihad unclear
Department of Home Affairs officials declined to explain what measures were in place to protect Australia against the potential return of notorious ISIS fighter Tareq Kamleh (more commonly known as ‘Dr Jihad’), who was discovered alive this year in an Iraqi prison after earlier being presumed dead for almost a decade. Counter-Terrorism Coordinator Brendan Dowling said that the former Perth doctor remained on the radar of Australian operational agencies. However, he declined to provide any further information about Dr Jihad’s circumstances or intentions, and was unable to publicly clarify if any contingency measures had been devised to prevent his possible return to Australia.
NZYQ costs spiral: $250 million and counting
The Albanese Government has now spent more than a quarter of a billion dollars managing the fallout from the High Court’s NZYQ decision and that staggering figure does not even include its separate $2.5 billion deal with Nauru. Department of Home Affairs officials disclosed that expenditure on the notorious cohort had reached $252.6 million, including $47.7 million in legal costs, $4.7 million on electronic monitoring and $101.8 million on community protection measures, including Operation Aegis. The extraordinary financial burden adds to the problem that almost one in five members of the NZYQ cohort has already reportedly reoffended following their releases into the Australian community.
713 Home Affairs staff gone
The Department of Home Affairs has admitted that it is still working out how to redistribute workloads and reorganise its operations after spending $70.5 million on voluntary redundancies that saw 713 staff leave the organisation. Senior officials confirmed that all of the redundancies (including for 273 Australian Border Force personnel and 219 immigration staff) had been finalised and that the affected employees had already departed. But they then also conceded that the reorganisation was “still a work in progress”. They indicated that they were still determining (after the employees had left, rather than beforehand) how to allocate priorities and resources as the Department settles into a “new norm”.
Home Affairs' cyber review still loading ...
The Department of Home Affairs cannot yet even estimate the cost of reviewing and upgrading its own ageing IT systems, despite being responsible for overseeing a whole-of-government cyber security overhaul following the June 2026 OpenAI breach of a Services Australia website. In September, Home Affairs directed all Commonwealth agencies to identify vulnerable legacy technology, set targets to reduce outdated systems and report their progress. Yet, when asked by Senator Duniam about their own internal compliance, its representatives conceded that their stocktake remained “in progress”, they had no cost estimate, no clear recollections of deadlines and were “not yet at the point where we know the answers”.
No room for housing impact on migration
Department of Home Affairs officials admitted that the Albanese Government's migration targets had not been based on Australia's housing capacity. Under questioning from Senator Duniam, the Department confirmed that the Government's Net Overseas Migration figures of 245,000 this year and 225,000 next year originated purely as Treasury forecasts, rather than targets developed through analysis of housing demand or construction capacity. The officials explicitly conceded that “they were not numbers that were set based on housing”.
Backpacker ballot date still a lottery
Department of Home Affairs officials were unable to say when registrations would open for the Albanese Government's new ballot system for second and third year Working Holiday Maker visas, despite the scheme being scheduled to start in November. When Senator Duniam asked for the commencement date, officials conceded that they had not settled on one and elected to take the question on notice. This will create even more uncertainty for farmers, tourism operators and hospitality businesses seeking to plan their seasonal workforces, particularly those needing backpacker labour over the coming summer.
Backpacker visa slowdown leaves industry in the cold
Extraordinarily, the Albanese Government introduced its controversial slowdown of Working Holiday Maker visa processing without undertaking any consultation with the farmers, tourism operators, hospitality employers and other regional businesses that rely heavily on backpacker labour. When Senator Duniam asked which industry stakeholders had been consulted before the changes were implemented, Department of Home Affairs officials said that consultation had occurred "only within government". Pressed specifically on whether farmers, hospitality or tourism representatives had been consulted, the Department conceded: “not prior to it being implemented”.
Farmers overcharged, with no refund in sight
Under questioning from the Leader of the Nationals, Senator Canavan, the Department of Agriculture confirmed its biosecurity cost recovery has collected around $26 million more than it cost to run over the past two years, and that it has no plans to refund farmers. This comes after the Auditor-General found the Department could not show its prices reflect its costs, and that the Secretary and Minister were not told how prices were set. Farmers are being overcharged year after year while facing higher fuel and fertiliser costs, and Labor’s answer is to keep the money.
Labor has no idea how many farmers will pay trust tax
Under questioning from Senators Scarr, Canavan and Cadell, the Department of Agriculture could not say how many of Australia’s 37,663 agricultural trusts will be hit by Labor’s 30 per cent minimum tax, even though one in three earns some non-primary production income. Labor says farm income is exempt, but the exemption covers only primary production income, so farm stays, leasing and value-adding are caught. Families who restructure into a company to avoid the tax lose access to Farm Management Deposits, their main drought savings tool. The Department could not explain how the rules apply and had not pursued the treatment of farmers’ accumulated tax losses with Treasury. Leader of The Nationals Matt Canavan said the changes were an attack on the family farm. “Labor is coming after the family farm by stealth, by taxing the family farm,” Senator Canavan said.
No replacement for Disaster Relief Australia
The Federal Coalition has exposed glaring deficiencies in the Albanese Labor Government’s plan for a civilian disaster relief and recovery workforce, after representatives from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) were unable to explain in Senate Estimates what would replace Disaster Relief Australia (DRA), which was liquidated in May this year, as Australia enters the Higher-Risk Weather Season. When questioned, NEMA officials could not identify any nationally scalable and rapidly deployable boots-on-the-ground recovery workforce to replace the proven capability previously provided by DRA veterans and volunteers.
Labor’s SMSF housing ban means 11,500 fewer homes
Treasury has admitted that, in 2023-24, “about 8,700” Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs) had utilised a new limited recourse borrowing arrangements. Such arrangements are now banned under Labor’s Budget tax hikes and remove even more properties from already scant housing supply. This is more than twice the Treasurer’s previous claim of 4,000 dwellings but still well short of the industry figure of some 16,000 investment property transactions bought by SMSFs last year, amounting to some 11,500 new builds. This is ridiculous from Labor during a housing supply crisis and needs to change immediately. Under the Coalition, 200,000 dwellings were completed each year, and under Labor we would be lucky to get 180,000 - more than four years after they got elected. The SMSF ban needs to be urgently reversed. The Coalition is seeking to amend the Labor’s Bill defining new builds to allow SMSFs to invest in newly built homes. We will be pushing for this. “We need every single new home. Sadly, Labor hates investors more than it wants to solve the housing crisis. We just want more homes,” said Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness Senator Andrew Bragg.
More than 5,000 Australians in negative equity
The Reserve Bank of Australia confirmed that some 5,000 first home buyers are now in negative equity. Many, often younger, first home buyers have taken up risky 95% loan to value (LVR) mortgages under Labor's 5% housing scheme. They are sadly now in trouble as house prices fall around the country thanks to Labor’s reckless Budget housing tax hikes that have smashed confidence and activity. Senator Bragg said: “Instead of building more houses, Labor is saddling home buyers with more debt and higher housing taxes.” They should both hang their heads in shame.
Housing Australia Future Fund fails to build houses
Labor poured more than $11.5 billion into their HAFF - which allocates billions to super funds but fails to build houses. After 3 years, at Senate Estimates, Treasury and Housing Australia confirmed that the HAFF had “completed” only 2,062 houses to date. We already know from the ANAO report into the HAFF and Treasury that more than half of these dwellings are actually "purchased" and not built. So Labor is crowding out private sector builders and Australians from an already constrained housing market with their massive fund that has failed to shift the dial on Australia’s housing crisis. The HAFF was meant to have completed or contracted 6,000 dwellings in 2025-26 but actually did zero.
Lending to owner-occupiers down
The Treasury Secretary confirmed that lending to owner occupiers has fallen off a cliff, despite the stated aim of the tax increase to encourage more owner occupiers. Senator Bragg asked “Are there fewer loans to owner-occupiers?” and Treasury Secretary Jenny Wilkinson responded “Yes”. Labor’s policy has failed, every major bank is saying lending to owner occupiers is down. The National Australia Bank confirmed that investor loan applications were down 17 per cent quarter-on-quarter – while owner-occupier applications were down 14 per cent. No one has won from Labor’s tax hikes on housing and everything else.
Labor’s trusts tax fallout
Treasury confirmed that the latest onslaught in Labor’s tax hikes - the minimum 30 per cent tax on trusts - will result in significant compliance and other costs for businesses which could total over $1 billion. But they didn’t know how much the costs were for small businesses and different sectors like building and construction. The draft legislation in relation to trusts shows just how punitive and difficult it is going to be for small builders to comply with these new arrangements. In its submission on the draft legislation, the Housing Industry Association has raised serious concerns about the broad impact the proposed changes would have on residential building businesses, with around three in five HIA members operating through a family trust structure. Those businesses are telling HIA that they're spending up to $50,000 each to seek advice from their accountant, from their lawyer, and potentially restructure in order to adapt to Labor’s new tax. How can businesses plan when Labor keeps changing the rules and keeps hiking taxes? You cannot increase tax, increase regulation, and increase complexity and hope to get more things, no matter what it is.
Mortgage offsets account failures
The ASIC Chair confirmed they had not briefed nor met with the Treasurer or Minister for Financial Services about their report from back in July 2026 titled “Offsets, out of mind: Banks fall short on mortgage offset account promises.” The report found that banks paid over $55 million in customer compensation for offset account failures - but that this was only the tip of the iceberg. In short, Labor has done nothing in response to this report and to the mistreatment of Australians by the major banks. This is why the Coalition has established a new Senate inquiry into bank mortgage offset accounts as many Australians have been ripped off. Australians should have choice and flexibility over how their own money is used, including to achieve the goal of home ownership. But banks have failed to ensure these products work as promised, leaving Australians paying more interest than they should. Labor doesn’t care about victims.
The ATO has no idea about small business
We learned at the Economic Estimates hearings that the ATO Commissioner Rob Heferen had no idea how businesses use credit cards to take advantage of the interest free period. The Commissioner only learnt how this worked in practice through the recent consultations on Labor’s credit card surcharge debacle, and wished the consultations had started earlier. This shows the lack of understanding by Labor and top bureaucrats of how businesses work, showing they have little to no real-world business experience - including the top bureaucrat in charge of Australia’s tax system. In opening questioning at the Economics Committee on 28 October 2026, the ATO Commissioner said: “I think along with a lot of others would think well actually if you are struggling to be able to pay what’s owed on time a credit card would be a risky way of finance…So um but of course, now I’ve learned that managing the cash flow is not about people who are necessarily struggling but is about people who simply…you know…they can get the use of the interest free period on the credit card to help them manage their cashflow better. Had we had that discussion earlier on, there may have been things we can do in the payments system…”
Thriving Kids a massive flop
Despite all the hype, the Albanese Government’s Thriving Kids program has failed to take-off. In it’s first 18 days, the $24.42 million Thriving Kids autism helpline received just 96 inquiries, and the Medicare Thriving Kids line received 18 calls. To make matters worse, states and territories are still working through what services will be delivered under the new program, leaving families no better off.
5 year CFMEU ban leaves door open for Setka’s return
The Education and Employment Committee was told that disgraced former union boss John Setka could return to the CFMEU as early as the 2030s under the five year ban limit imposed by the current administration scheme. Senator Maria Kovacic pressed the Fair Work Commission and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations about comments made by CFMEU administrator Michael Crosby suggesting the five year limit may need to change, with the department unable to immediately confirm whether the administrator had formally sought an extension or whether the government had commissioned work to address the issue.
Gap in tracking CFMEU Officials moving to new unions
Senator Maria Kovacic exposed a significant gap in the oversight of removed CFMEU officials, with departmental officials admitting under her questioning at Senate Estimates that they do not formally track individuals who subsequently take up positions in other registered unions. Following growing concerns from business and industry groups that removed CFMEU officials are now appearing within divisions of the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union, Senator Kovacic uncovered that the Fair Work Commission does not systematically collect information on where these individuals subsequently work, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the existing CFMEU administration if removed officials are able to continue similar conduct and practices to those that warranted their removal from the CFMEU.
CFMEU Administrator refuses to face Senate scrutiny
Senator Maria Kovacic confronted Minister Jess Walsh over the Albanese Labor Government's opposition to a dedicated Senate inquiry into construction industry corruption, despite the government's claim that it had taken the "strongest action possible". It was revealed in tabled correspondence that the CFMEU administrator had declined an invitation from Senators Hume and Kovacic to appear before the committee, instead offering a private meeting. Senator Kovacic challenged Minister Walsh to explain how parliament could properly scrutinise the administration when senators had been denied the opportunity to directly question the administrator.
Office for Women lack of small business consultation
Senator Maria Kovacic has questioned whether the Office for Women is delivering meaningful economic outcomes for Australian women, after officials confirmed that the agency was not undertaking a major dedicated analysis of how the government's capital gains tax and discretionary trust changes would affect women-owned small businesses. Senator Kovacic also sought to identify how many formal consultations the Office had undertaken with women in small business, start-ups, and entrepreneurial ventures since 2022, with officials unable to provide even an approximate figure.
No data on pregnancy discrimination in public service
Senator Maria Kovacic has questioned the Albanese Labor Government's response to pregnancy discrimination across the Australian Public Service, following serious allegations aired by the ABC's Four Corners program. Senator Kovacic pressed the government on what action had been taken to establish the scale of the problem, whether departments were consistently applying protections for women returning from parental leave, and whether the Office for Women was monitoring refused flexible working arrangements. Minister for Women Katy Gallagher confirmed that she had not specifically requested data to establish the prevalence of pregnancy discrimination across the public service, stating, “No, I haven't specifically requested data.’’
Were domestic violence victims protected?
Office for Women officials were unable to identify a specific request for data on adverse outcomes for victim-survivors following the national AusAlert emergency warning system test on 27 July. Senator Kovacic raised concerns about the system's ability to override silent and do-not-disturb settings, potentially exposing concealed mobile phones used by women attempting to escape abusive relationships. While the Office for Women confirmed that its systems abuse audit team had provided guidance to the National Emergency Management Agency before the trial, Minister Katy Gallagher confirmed she had not been briefed on any problematic outcomes following the trial.
ABC confirms $353,000 payout to former news director
The ABC confirmed former news director Justin Stevens received a $353,000 payout, including entitlements, following his departure in May. The revelation follows reports that ABC managing director Hugh Marks had been searching for Stevens’ replacement months before his departure.
ABC pressed on its employment of HAMAS journalist
Senator Henderson pressed the ABC on its employment of Rushdi Al-Sarraj as a freelance journalist, or “stringer”, in Gaza. The Israel Defense Force (IDF) has concluded Mr Al-Sarraj, now deceased, was a military operative in Hamas’ military wing. The ABC undertook to cross check the journalists and media companies it had hired in Gaza against the list of Hamas operatives identified by the IDF who had posed as journalists.
Australia Post’s $18.2 million electric vehicle debacle
Senator Henderson probed Australia Post spending of $18.2 million on 500 electric delivery tricycles that are now sitting idle in warehouses following safety incidents, raising serious concerns about potential waste of taxpayer money.
Property profit funds CEO’s $1.36 million bonus
Senator Henderson questioned Australia Post CEO Paul Graham's salary, including his $1.36 million bonus, describing it as “mind-blowing”. Mr Graham's total remuneration reached $3.13 million. While Australia Post reported a profit, without property sales Australia Post would have recorded a $107.6 million loss before tax.
ABC’s serious editorial failures and lack of supervision
Under Senator Henderson’s questioning, ABC managing director Hugh Marks conceded that former Four Corners journalist Mahmood Fazal had received insufficient supervision while producing reports containing fabricated sources and inaccuracies. Senator Henderson challenged the ABC’s hiring practices, describing Fazal’s appointment as an “egregious error” and exposing concerns about editorial oversight and accountability.
Anika Wells’ travel
Senator Henderson accused the government of a lack of transparency over travel by Communications Minister, Anika Wells. Wells was asked detailed questions on notice in June this year about her trip to Adelaide, where she attended a friend’s birthday party while claiming to be on Parliamentary business. Wells’ response was due in July. Her totally unsatisfactory answer was provided after Tuesday’s Estimates hearing was underway.
Regional communications slashed
Senator Henderson criticised savage cuts to regional communications funding, highlighting that the Albanese Government's Better Connectivity Plan funding will plummet from $116 million in 2026–27 to just $780,000 in 2029–30 - a reduction of more than 99 per cent. Within 3 years Mobile Black Spot Program funding will fall to just $780,000, while the Regional Connectivity Program and the Telecommunications Disaster Resilience and Innovation Program will soon receive no funding.
SBS travel expenditure
Senator Henderson questioned SBS Managing Director Jane Palfreyman about the cost of a FIFA World Cup trip involving SBS executives and clients. Ms Palfreyman refused to disclose the expenditure, citing commercial concerns. After reminding SBS of its obligations to Senate Estimates as a taxpayer funded public broadcaster, Senator Henderson secured a commitment from SBS to take the question of costs on notice.
Under 16 social media ban compliance not tracked
Senator Henderson exposed the fact that eSafety is ceasing to track compliance reporting on the under-16 social media ban. eSafety’s March 2026 report showed around seven in ten under-16s were still on social media. Pressed on when the next compliance report would be released, eSafety said there wouldn’t be one, arguing that it could prejudice its investigations. Senator Henderson countered that Australians are entitled to know whether the law is working.
Treasurer refuses to deliver budget measure
In an astonishing revelation, the Treasurer is refusing to legislate the Producer Tax Offset promised in its 2024 Budget papers. When Senator Dean Smith asked how many policies had waited more than two and a half years to be legislated, Treasury couldn’t identify a single example. Treasury said “the Treasurer determines the priorities for the portfolio and the legislative program is reviewed in advance of every parliament sitting” and when pressed said they were "not in a position to explain it”. The Government has received correspondence from 30 Australian film producers, including the creator of Bluey, along with the Shadow Arts Minister, Angie Bell, and Screen Producers Australia, who have all called on the Government to legislate the changes promised to the industry.
Creative Australia’s capitulates with ATO review
After intense pressure across three Senate Estimates hearings, Creative Australia CEO Adrian Collette, has finally admitted to changing the eligibility for the Australian Cultural Fund. Senator Henderson has consistently drawn into question the fund's shambolic process and failure to meet its own eligibility criteria. Mr Collette initially defended the agency's decision to provide ex Labor candidate and former Qantas CEO, Mr John Menadue with $669,240 in Arts funding to run his online political blog, Pearls and Irritations. In a capitulation this week, Mr Collete told estimates this grant is now being subject to an ATO review. In a surprising admission, he conceded “we are not satisfied that those eligibility criteria are being met by Pearls and Irritations”. Concerningly, it has been the Opposition holding the CEO and this agency to account with the Labor Government missing in action.
Creative Australia contradicts itself
Under questioning from Senator Henderson, Creative Australia’s CEO said that he “would never knowingly invest in an organisation or an artwork or an arts program that we considered to be Islamophobic or anti-semitic or racist in any shape or form”. However, national media reporting has shown that Creative Australia has repeatedly funded Khaled Sabsabi, after knowing of his protest by signing an open public letter calling for the banning of Israel’s Biennale artist in 2024 and his artworks celebrating the late Hezbollah terrorist leader. Funding continues to be provided to The National Association for Visual Arts, whose senior executive, among others, made anti-semitic posts.
Minister for Youth unable to describe policy input
Under questioning from Senator Scarr, the Minister for Youth was asked multiple times about what policy input she has provided into Labor’s policy development on behalf of young people. The Minister was unable to provide a concreate example of policy input. Senator Scarr prompted the Minister asking if she provided input on taxation policy, on mental health policy or on youth unemployment matters to which not examples were forth coming. At a time when Labor’s capital gains tax backflip will impact the savings of young people, to is hard to believe the Minister for Youth just sees her role as just having meetings with young people.
Minister for Youth pressed on youth unemployment
The Minister for Youth was asked if she was concerned about youth unemployment and shockingly answered with “I know they were released recently” and that it was not part of her responsibility. Only when pressed several times the Minister referred to her role as only to engage with young people, but failed to describe how that engagement enables the Minister for Youth to provide input into Labor’s policies. When the Coalition left government youth unemployment was at 7.1% but now under Labor it is at 11.1% and in regional Queensland it is at 18.2%, it is hard to believe the Minister for Youth is unaware of a target or a plan for the number and is not active in providing input into Labor’s policies.
Rural Health Commissioner yet to see Minister in 2026
The National Rural Health Commissioner told Senate Estimates she has not met Health Minister Mark Butler this year, only his adviser, once. This comes as the National Rural Health Alliance reports the gap in health spending between rural and city Australians has grown to $9.23 billion a year. People in towns of under 5,000 receive $6,368 less in health funding per person each year.
Labor lie over free trade
Labor’s claim that the European Union Free Trade Agreement (EUFTA) would create a $10 billion first-year benefit to Australia is another Labor lie. Senate Estimates revealed Trade Minister Don Farrell’s $10 billion fake figure was based on an EU study, using an ambitious modelling scenario from 2020, that removed all tariffs from Australia’s agricultural products. Senator Canavan said the $10 billion fake figure, which has been constantly touted by Labor, predated the actual deal that Labor concluded this year. “The EUFTA is a dud deal sold on dodgy figures,” Senator Canavan said.
Prime Minister’s leadership absent in Port Hedland
Shadow Minister for Child Protection and Prevention of Family Violence, Senator Matt O’Sullivan, pressed Minister Malarndirri McCarthy on the Commonwealth’s response to serious child protection and community safety concerns in Port Hedland, including the abandonment of 15 children and the handling of the Hawke children case. When repeatedly asked whether the Prime Minister should visit Port Hedland to hear directly from affected communities, Minister McCarthy pointed to the rapid review as the basis for the Government’s response, offering no further position on whether the PM should visit. Senator O’Sullivan emphasised the community’s need for leadership, concluding: “The children are looking for leadership.”
$9.6m online child safety program under fire
Shadow Minister for Child Protection and Prevention of Family Violence, Senator Matt O’Sullivan, questioned departmental officials about the National Action Plan’s Stop It Now! Australia service. Officials were challenged over the content of the $9.6 million taxpayer-funded service’s website and online learning modules, pressed on whether the material appropriately prioritises professional intervention, child safety and the prevention of offending. Officials confirmed that the service’s effectiveness was still being evaluated, with an interim report due in November–December 2026 and a final report expected in October 2027. Senator O’Sullivan also raised concerns that the language used in the online modules could be interpreted as normalising or conveying acceptance of sexual interest in children.
Lack of accountability for Airservices Australia
Minister King has not held Airservices Australian accountable for air traffic controller shortages, training and failures. This has led to major operational disruptions for airlines who have had to cancel and delay flights causing major inconvenience for the passengers.
Infrastructure projects probed
Continued scrutiny of Victorian infrastructure projects, CFMEU-related allegations, mandatory reporting and Commonwealth oversight was a major line of questioning for the Department of Infrastructure. More allegations of corruption not only in Victoria on the Suburban Rail Loop but across the country came to light.
Fuel security advertising questioned
Senator McKenzie questioned the expenditure and outcomes of the $20 million National Fuel Security advertising campaign, including whether $20 million represents value for taxpayers’ money. The Labor Government spent $11.4 million telling drivers to pump up tyres.
Trust tax hits Olympians
Senator McKenzie raised the Australian Olympic Committee's concerns that the discretionary trust tax could reduce Australian Olympic Foundation distributions by approximately $10 million over an Olympic cycle. Senator McKenzie’s line of questioning generated national reporting, including the governments acknowledgement of the AOC's concerns and a subsequent assurance that Olympic funding would not be reduced. This was a major win for our Australian Olympic and Paralympic Athletes.