The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence will hold public hearings in Toowoomba on Tuesday 1 September 2026, and in Townsville on Wednesday 2 September 2026, as part of its inquiry into the Department of Defence’s annual report 2024-25.
Chair of the Committee, Senator Deborah O’Neill said, ‘Borneo Barracks and RAAF Base Townsville hold an immense strategic significance in safeguarding Australia’s national security interests. The Committee is looking forward to visiting these bases to witness Australia’s Defence capabilities firsthand.’
The Committee will also speak to the Wagner Corporation, an Australian-owned company, who owns and operates the Wellcamp Aerospace and Defence Precinct in Toowoomba. Wagner Corporation is an integral enabler of Defence manufacturing activities and enhancing Australia’s sovereignty, housing the manufacturing of the uncrewed MQ-28 Ghost Bat aircraft by Boeing.
The Committee will hold more public hearings to inform this inquiry. Further information about the inquiry is available on its webpage.
Public hearing details
Date: Tuesday, 1 September 2026
Time: 1:00 pm – 3:10 pm (AEST)
Location: Toowoomba Regional Council, The Annex, 541 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba
Date: Wednesday, 2 September 2026
Time: 11:15 am – 1:30 pm (AEST)
Location: Hotel Grand Chancellor, Pandora Room, 334 Flinders Street, Townsville
The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.
Media enquiries
Senator Deborah O’Neill, Chair
Shane McLeod, Chief of Staff
[email protected]
For background information
Committee Secretariat
02 6277 4504
[email protected]
