Patrick Durrant and Katherine Ziesing | Sydney and Darwin
Despite holding the position of Minister for Defence Industry for almost 100 days, Christopher Pyne’s exact responsibilities and those of his Defence colleagues Marise Payne and Dan Tehan have only just been released this morning.
Yesterday, during the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Senate Estimates hearing, Minister for Defence Marise Payne was questioned on the responsibilities of the three portfolios, with the defence.gov.au page still indicating they were "To be advised".
In response, Minister Payne indicated that the ministerial letters of charter had already been received by herself, Christopher Pyne and Dan Tehan (Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel).
"I am indicating that both Ministers are Cabinet Ministers and it's not a question of seniority."
She saw no reason to table the letters, but indicated that a list of the responsibilities would be provided to the Committee and the website would be updated immediately.
The portfolio responsibilities are as follows:
Minister Payne (Defence)
- Minister Payne is responsible for Strategic policy
- ADF Operations
- International Engagement
- Budget
- Defence White Paper implementation
- Force Structure
- Development of capability requirements
- Capability/cost tradeoff during capability life cycle
- Intelligence and Security
- ICT
- Science and Technology policy and support to operations
Minister Pyne (Defence Industry)
- Delivery of capability acquisition and sustainment projects
- Development of Australian industry involvement during capability life cycle
- Deliver Defence Industry agenda
- Support and develop Australian Defence Industry
- Encourage Australian Defence Industry involvement in global supply chains
- Implementation of Naval Shipbuilding Plan
- Centre for Defence Innovation
- Defence Innovation Hub
- Science and Technology engagement with Australian industry
- Next Generation Technology Fund
Minister Tehan (Veteran’s Affairs and Defence Personnel)
- Estate
- Garrison and Personnel support
- Estate and Equipment disposals
- Military justice
- Honours and Awards
- ADF Cadets
- Reserves
- Parliamentary exchange program
Minister Payne was also faced with another tricky question: Who is the most senior Defence Minister?
Although she initially refused to be drawn on the issue, the Minister finally admitted under sustained questioning from Labor Senator Kim Carr that herself and Minister Pyne shared equal rank status at the Cabinet table.
"I am indicating that both Ministers are Cabinet Ministers and it's not a question of seniority," Minister Payne said.
Defence Secretary Dennis Richardson, when pressed on whether the new arrangements had caused confusion within the Department, admitted a few hiccups but said that "By and large it has been relatively smooth".
Minister Pyne was also probed on the issue during Question Time but brushed it aside as a trivial matter at a time when members of the ADF were putting their lives at risk in the Middle East.
ADM Comment: For an organisation known for its chain of command and hierarchy, it has been 'interesting' to see such confusion at the highest levels in defence over the past months.
It speaks volumes that it took a Senate Estimates hearing for Senator Payne to explain what is happening in this space. Also, that she was the one fronting the committee rather than Mr Pyne.