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Building on the success of the parliamentary joint standing committee on intelligence and security (PJCIS), Parliament has successfully passed legislation to establish the parliamentary joint committee on defence (PJCD).
The legislation, introduced by the Albanese government, establishes the parliamentary joint committee on defence (PJCD), a statutory committee designed to improve parliamentary oversight of Australia’s defence institutions and decision making.
The creation of the committee implements a recommendation from the joint standing committee on foreign affairs, defence and trade, following its inquiry into international armed conflict decision making during the 47th Parliament.
Although previous parliamentary reviews had recommended establishing a dedicated defence committee, this is the first time an Australian government has moved to implement the proposal.
The new committee will be empowered to receive briefings and examine matters relating to the Australian Defence Force, the Department of Defence, the Australian Submarine Agency, and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, as well as other agencies across the defence portfolio.
A key feature of the committee is its ability to receive and consider classified information, allowing members of Parliament to conduct more detailed scrutiny of defence policy, capability development, and strategic decision making.
The legislation includes safeguards to ensure sensitive national security information, including material shared by international partners, remains protected while increasing transparency and accountability within the defence system.
The government said the new committee will help Parliament and the broader public better understand Australia’s evolving strategic environment at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty.
By strengthening parliamentary oversight, the PJCD is expected to contribute to more robust decision making on defence and national security matters.
The committee will also have responsibility for monitoring and reviewing the government’s response to recommendations arising from defence-related royal commissions, including the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
While membership of the committee will be confirmed at a later date, the PJCD is expected to mirror the structure of the parliamentary joint committee on intelligence and security, with a total of 13 members drawn from both houses of Parliament.
Under the proposed arrangement, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will appoint members in consultation with Opposition Leader Angus Taylor. The committee will consist of seven government members and six non-government members.
The establishment of the committee is intended to provide Parliament with a stronger institutional framework to examine defence policy and ensure ongoing oversight of Australia’s national security institutions.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
