The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence is constituted under Part VIIIAB–Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence of the Defence Act 1903. The Committee conducts inquiries into matters referred to it by the Senate, the House of Representatives or certain Ministers of the Commonwealth Government. The Committee also has certain review and oversight functions under section 110ABB of the Defence Act 1903.

Membership

Committee Membership

Chair Senator Deborah O'Neill Contact

Deputy Chair Senator Dave Sharma Contact

Member Mr Matt Burnell MP Contact

Member Ms Zaneta Mascarenhas MP Contact

Member Senator James Paterson Contact

Member Ms Meryl Swanson MP Contact

Member Ms Susan Templeman MP Contact

Member Mr Phillip Thompson OAM MP Contact

Member Mr Andrew Wallace MP Contact

Member Senator Ellie Whiteaker Contact

Member Mr Tony Zappia MP Contact

Current inquiries

Inquiry into the annual report of the Department of Defence 2024–25 Accepting SubmissionsInquiry into the annual report of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs 2024–25 Accepting SubmissionsInquiry into Australia’s national civil preparedness and resilience Accepting Submissions

Last updated 13 Aug 2026 · sourced from the official committee register.