Defence Capability Assurance and Oversight 2023

# Defence Capability Assurance and Oversight Bill 2023 ## What it does This bill creates a new watchdog agency called the Defence Capability Assurance Agency to check whether Australia's defence projects are actually delivering what they promise. It also establishes an Inspector-General role and a parliamentary committee dedicated to overseeing defence spending and performance. ## Why it matters Australian defence projects cost billions of dollars—think submarines, tanks, and weapons systems. This bill gives parliament and the public proper oversight to make sure the money's being spent wisely and projects actually work as planned, rather than going over budget or failing quietly. ## Key details - **New agency powers**: The Defence Capability Assurance Agency can access information, visit defence premises, and inspect equipment to assess whether projects are on track - **Reporting chain**: The agency reports to the Defence Minister, a special Cabinet committee, and directly to parliament—creating multiple layers of accountability - **Independent from government**: The agency doesn't have Crown privileges, meaning it operates at arm's length and can't use government legal protections to avoid scrutiny