Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Additional Estimates 2016 - 2017, 02 March 2017
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Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Additional Estimates 2016 - 2017, 02 March 2017 QUESTION ON NOTICE/ Spoken 01 - Additional Estimates QoN Page: 9 Topic: Global Heads of Mission Meeting (GHOMM) Senator Wong, Penny Question Ms Adamson: We are calling it the global heads of mission meeting. Senator WONG: When was the decision made to do this? Ms Adamson: When I became Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade it was something that I wanted to do in support of the White Paper process. I saw considerable value in doing it also for the reasons I have outlined – the importance of our heads of missions connecting with Australians, explaining the work we do and listening to them. I then put a proposal to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment. Senator WONG: When did you do that? Ms Adamson: It would have been certainly something I wrote to our heads of mission about in my first letter to them in early October. So around that time. Senator WONG: The submission had been agreed to at that time? Ms Adamson: It was not a full submission. This is a matter relating to the administration of a department. Senator WONG: Sure, I am not suggesting that it was a cabinet submission. I thought you said that you put it before the ministers. Ms Adamson: I said to the ministers I was proposing to hold a meeting. This would be the purpose and they agreed. Senator WONG: When was that? Ms Adamson: I would have to check my diary. We have a series of meetings to— Senator WONG: But before or after your letter? Page 1 of 2 Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Additional Estimates 2016 - 2017, 02 March 2017 Ms Adamson: After my letter. I said that we were considering holding a meeting. I hoped we would be able to hold a meeting, and then we decided that we would hold a meeting. Senator WONG: Some time after October? Ms Adamson: Yes. Senator WONG: Prior to the last estimates? Ms Adamson: I would have to check that. Senator WONG: You can take that on notice what that date was. Answer The Secretary discussed the proposed meeting with portfolio ministers on 8 and 10 November. A ministerial submission was provided on 30 November. Page 2 of 2 Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Additional Estimates 2016 - 2017, 02 March 2017 QUESTION ON NOTICE/ Spoken 02 - Additional Estimates QoN Topic: White Paper Page: 11 Senator Wong, Penny Question Senator WONG: Thank you. Who made the decision that there would be a white paper? Ms Adamson: This was a decision of government. Senator WONG: Thank you. When was that decision made? Ms Adamson: I am not able to tell you a direct date at which a decision was made. As we discussed last time, this came out of a commitment by the coalition during the election campaign to produce a foreign policy strategy in the form of a white paper, which we are now doing. I have next to me Mr Justin Hayhurst, first assistant secretary from the white paper taskforce. Senator WONG: Why can't you tell me when? Ms Adamson: I became secretary of the department on 25 August. At what point the decision was translated from an election commitment to become a foreign policy white paper, I am not sure. Senator WONG: What do you mean, you are not sure? Ms Adamson: I am not sure. I was not present immediately after the election. My instructions were to produce a foreign policy white paper. Senator WONG: When were you advised that the election commitment would be produced as a white paper? When did you become aware that it would be a white paper? Ms Adamson: I became aware when I became secretary. The foreign minister said to me that we would be producing a foreign policy white paper. This was something that I was very keen to do and we have got on with it ever since. Page 1 of 3 Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Additional Estimates 2016 - 2017, 02 March 2017 Senator WONG: By the way, you said that this was a decision of government. Was that a formal decision? Was it a ministerial level decision or a cabinet decision? Ms Adamson: I was asked to produce a foreign policy white paper and that is what we are doing. Senator WONG: I know that that is the sentence you want to keep repeating, Ms Adamson. I am asking you a very direct question: you have agreed in an answer to an earlier question that this was a decision of government. I am simply asking at which level the decision was made. It is a very reasonable question. was it the minister only or was it a cabinet level decision? Ms Adamson: I need to take that question on notice. Senator WONG: Really? Ms Adamson: Because, as I said, I became secretary of 24 August. I was asked to produce a foreign policy white paper. That is what we are doing. Senator WONG: I do not understand why people are so worried about this. I am just asking— Ms Adamson: We are not worried about it, Senator. I just do not quite understand the purpose of your question. Senator WONG: Well, I get to ask questions. CHAIR: Thank you. Can I just ask to return. So the question is: was it a decision of the government or the cabinet? If you cannot answer the question because it predates you, Ms Adamson— Senator WONG: No, that is not what she said. Ms Adamson: It would simply be to repeat what I said before. Senator WONG: This is something I asked previously. I also asked it on notice. Ms Adamson: Yes, and we have answered it. Senator WONG: No, you did not answer it. That is the point. I will come back to that. I am asking it again and you are taking it on notice again. I do not understand the sensitivity about a date. Senator Brandis: It has been taken on notice, Senator Wong. That is the end of the matter. Page 2 of 3 Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Additional Estimates 2016 - 2017, 02 March 2017 Answer Minister Bishop announced on 23 June 2016 that a Coalition government would, if re-elected, prepare a “contemporary and comprehensive foreign policy strategy for the 21st century”. In the months following the 2 July 2016 election, and in line with this commitment, Minister Bishop instructed the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to produce a foreign policy strategy or white paper. In the various discussions between the Minister and the Department between August and October 2016, the terms strategy and white paper were used interchangeably. At what level the original decision to commit to producing a foreign policy strategy or white paper was made, is not known to the Department. Page 3 of 3 Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Additional Estimates 2016 - 2017, 15 March 2017 QUESTION ON NOTICE/ Spoken 03 - Additional Estimates QoN Topic: White Paper Page: 14 Senator Wong, Penny Question Senator WONG: I am not making a point about it; I just wanted to make sure we make that clear. You have previously referenced, Secretary, the election commitment. Are you aware as to whether or not DFAT was consulted on the timeframe that would be required for undertaking a white paper prior to that election commitment being made? Ms Adamson: I am not aware. Senator WONG: Can you take that on notice? Ms Adamson: I can take that on notice, yes. Answer The department was not consulted on the timeframe for undertaking the White Paper prior to the election commitment being made. Page 1 of 1 Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Additional Estimates 2016 - 2017, 02 March 2017 QUESTION ON NOTICE/ Spoken 04 - Additional Estimates QoN Page: 15 Topic: White Paper Senator Wong, Penny Question Ms Adamson: There is a detailed cabinet process. There has already been some discussion in cabinet. This is intended to be a whole-of-government white paper so there is, for example, a reflection of the fact that all ministers ultimately will be involved. There is a deputy secretary’s board, I think we have called it, a whole-of-government board at deputy secretary level with a very wide range of representation. Mr Hayhurst can talk you through all the various departments if that would be helpful. Senator WONG: We do not have a lot of time. Can you give me the deputy secretary's board on notice? Ms Adamson: We can handed it over today. Answer The Deputy Secretaries’ Board comprises senior executive representatives from the following departments and agencies: • Attorney General’s Department • Australian Federal Police • Department of Agriculture and Water Resources • Department of Defence • Department of Education and Training • Department of Finance • Department of Health • Department of Immigration and Border Protection • Department of Industry Innovation and Science • Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development • Department of the Environment and Energy • Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet • Office of National Assessments • The Treasury Page 1 of 1 Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Additional Estimates 2016 - 2017, 02 March 2017 QUESTION ON NOTICE/ Spoken 05 - Additional Estimates QoN Page: 15 Topic: White Paper Senator Wong, Penny Question Ms Adamson: Both Ms Bishop and Mr Ciobo are our lead ministers on this white paper. Senator WONG: And the Prime Minister's role? Ms Adamson: The Prime Minister is taking a very close interest in it and is involved in the development of it. Senator WONG: Who briefs the Prime Minister about the white paper process? Is it you, is it Mr Maude, is it only PM&C or is it a group of you? Ms Adamson: Mr Maude and I are briefing the Prime Minister and there will be additional briefings, I'm sure, provided by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.