Parliament Passes New Defence Oversight Committee, Greens Decry ‘Secret’ Body

The Greens argued the new committee would be a playground for Labor and the Liberals, effectively preventing minor parties from overseeing defence decisions.

The senate chamber at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on Feb. 6, 2023. Martin Ollman/Getty Images

Legislation establishing a new defence oversight committee has passed the federal parliament, with the Greens warning it will be a “secret” body dominated by Labor and the Coalition.

On March 4, the Senate approved the Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence) Bill with a 30-18 vote, with support from both the Labor government and the Coalition. This came after the Bill passed the lower house in November 2025.