Jim Betts faced questioning from senators Bridget McKenzie and Matt Canavan over a t-shirt depicting an Aboriginal flag he wore to address his department.
ASIO boss Mike Burgess said AUKUS secrets provide extra threats to security,and defended the agency’s decision to quietly disrupt foreign interference plots rather than seek prosecutions.
Mike Pezzullo said he was “taking a very close view of any new contracting” with PwC,adding he was “not confident” in the firm.
Philip Lowe said the Reserve Bank must get inflation down,denying accusations he and his board are trying to drive the country into recession.
The consulting firm that gained secret advice from former minister Stuart Robert has still not registered as a lobbyist,sparking criticism in Senate estimates.
ABC boss David Anderson has conceded a radio report on the unrest in Alice Springs should not have gone to air,as the ombudsman found it breached editorial standards.
The $160,000 in contracts to former minister Greg Combet and a former Labor adviser prompted questions from the opposition about the use of closed procurement processes.
Henderson has already tabled two motions in the Senate - both were rejected by Labor,the Greens and Senator David Pocock.
The Reserve Bank is facing one of its toughest periods as it deals with high inflation. But there are other problems ahead.
Michele Bullock defended the bank’s rapid interest rate rises,but said she has sympathy for people who made financial decisions based on statements they would stay low for years.
It turns out asking questions at Senate estimates is an addiction skilled interrogator Penny Wong is not ready to kick - even as a cabinet minister.