It was an eventful day for government accountability and the future of democracy, and by that we mean day three of supplementary Senate estimates.
We learnt defence consultants have faced charges for unlawfully sharing information, employment service providers are being investigated for pressuring job seekers for payslips, and the consequences a Trump presidency would have on inflation levels in Australia.
Earlier in the day, Secretary of the Department of Defence Greg Moriarty warned tense global conditions placed Australia at an "elevated risk" of conflict.
"Since the last estimates, our international environment has worsened," he told senators.
"Driven by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, increasing tensions on the Korean Peninsula, and North Korea's support to Russia's illegal war."
Making his estimates debut, Chief of the Defence Force Admiral David Johnston said recruitment remained a critical priority for the military's top brass.
He revealed that, as of October 1, ADF's total workforce is 58,699.
"We have positive indicators to suggest that better recruitment outcomes will become apparent by the end of this year," he said.
Treasury secretary Dr Stephen Kennedy told the economics committee that modelling done on the impact of Trump's proposed trade tariffs on Australia shows they could lead to lower growth and higher inflation.
We also found out Labor's plans to spend $16 billion to wipe HECS student debts by 20 per cent would not have a significant impact on inflation, as per Treasury analysis.
Memorial officials grilled over $999,000 contract
Bureaucrats from the Australian War Memorial were quizzed over the unusual value of a $999,999 contract awarded to Xact Project Management in 2019.
Greens senator David Shoebridge pointed out that government contracts worth $1 million require ministerial approval and suggested the $1 difference was a clear tactic to "duck under" this threshold.
Deputy program director Christopher Widenbar offered some guiding reassurance.
"As with any organisation, it consists of humans, and we learn to get better as we go along," he said.
WorkForce Australia investigates providers
Four employment services providers are under investigation by Workforce Australia for pressuring job seekers for payslips.
As part of the government's employment services scheme, job providers receive financial incentives from the government when a job seeker finds work through them.
Job seekers can voluntarily provide payslips to employment services providers, but there have been reports that these businesses have pressured job seekers to do this, threatening to cut job seekers' Centrelink benefits if they do not hand over these documents.
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations confirmed four employment services providers in the cross hairs.
It expects the investigation to be completed this month, with a public report to be issued soon.
Changes to debt collection in the NDIA
The National Disability Insurance Agency did an internal review of a decision to pursue a $28,000 debt from a woman who took her own life.
NDIA deputy CEO Scott McNaughton said this had led to certain changes to debt management practices, including a debt committee chaired by the chief executive officer, which decides whether a debt gets raised or not.
"If debt does arise, and it has to arise under certain triggers under the act, then we have our waiver provisions, and that's something that we are looking at as part of our practice guidance," he said.
Consultants charged with sharing top-secret information
A defence official revealed that since 2021, multiple criminal convictions have been made against outsourced consultants for sharing unlawful information.
Greens senator Barbara Pocock asked an official from the integrity division of the Defence Department how many convictions or charges the defence has pursued regarding conflicts of interest by a contractor or consultant.
Defence did not have the answer, but it was confirmed "some charges" have been laid.
"Have you had any, to your knowledge, charges in relation to the unauthorised disclosure of information?" Senator Pocock said.
An official responded, "We have had criminal convictions related to individuals accessing information when they shouldn't be. "
Got any tips for us? PS@canberratimes.com.au
With Miriam Webber, Brittney Levinson and Connor Pearce.
