Chapter 2Key Issues
2.1This chapter provides an overview of some key issues raised during the committee’s 2023–24 additional estimates hearings. Page numbers reference relevant committee Hansard transcripts.
Social Services portfolio hearing—14 February 2024
2.2The committee called officers from the Department of Social Services (DSS). The committee discussed matters relating to Outcomes 1–3, and dismissed Whole of Portfolio and Corporate Matters and Outcome 4 without questions. Mr Ray Griggs AO CSC, Secretary of DSS, gave evidence alongside departmental officials.
Outcome 1: Social Security
2.3Topics discussed with DSS relating to Outcome 1 included:
the Remote Area Allowance to help income support recipients meet the additional costs of living in remote areas (pp. 96–97);
the adequacy of the JobSeeker payment (p. 97);
the number of small businesses administering the Paid Parental Leave Scheme (p. 99);
the indexation of the Aged Pension Payment, including the number of senior Australians receiving the energy supplement (p. 100); and
increases to the maximum rate of Commonwealth Rent Assistance and the aggregate figures as a proportion of all rent assistance recipients (pp. 100–101).
Outcome 2: Families and Communities
2.4Topics discussed with DSS relating to Outcome 2 included:
the eligibility requirements for the Escaping Domestic Violence Payment and whether DSS retains data on why applications are not processed or rejected (pp. 102–103);
the government’s recent funding announcements directed to Australians experiencing financial hardship and distress (p. 109);
the provision of the government’s $14.4 million funding boost to provide emergency and food relief to support Australia’s response to cost-of-living pressures and recent natural disaster events (p. 109);
observations of antisocial behaviour and destruction in former cashless debit card (CDC) sites following the repeal of the CDC and its replacement with the voluntary SmartCard (p. 111);
meetings of the National Coordination Group and their involvement in the provision of the government’s $114.8 million in funding for Australians in financial distress (pp. 117–118); and
the progression of the government’s commitment of 500 new frontline and community sector workers to support victim-survivors of family and domestic violence (pp. 119–120).
Outcome 3: Disability and Carers
2.5Topics discussed with DSS relating to Outcome 3 included:
the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Disability Employment Services (DES) trial and Pathways Pilot to improve pathways from the NDIS into the DES program (p. 93);
the commencement of the Disability Employment Centre of Excellence and associated consultations around the Centre (p. 94); and
funding allocations to various disability services outcomes and programs (pp. 94–96).
Social Services portfolio agencies
2.6The committee continued its examination of the Social Services portfolio by calling officers from Services Australia, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) and the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission (DFSVC).
Services Australia
2.7Mr David Hazlehurst, Chief Executive Officer of Services Australia, was joined by officials to discuss matters relating to Whole of Portfolio and Corporate Matters, and Outcome 1.
2.8Topics discussed for Services Australia, Whole of Portfolio and Corporate Matters included:
the increased incidence of lengthy call wait times reported by customers and the use of congestion messaging (p. 10; pp. 15–19; and pp. 22–23);
the NZYQ High Court ruling and associated intra-departmental interactions (p. 10; p. 19; p. 21; and p. 26);
allegations concerning timed breaks for Services Australia staff (pp. 13–14; pp. 32–33, p. 36; and p. 39);
issues concerning staff attrition rates (pp. 31–32); and
the issuance of the new commemorative Medicare card for the 40th anniversary of Medicare (p. 33).
2.9Topics discussed with Services Australia relating to Outcome 1 included:
the number of recipients receiving the Special Benefits Payment (p. 38);
staff morale at Services Australia amid recent Australian Public Service census results (pp. 39–40);
payment accuracy, including the appeals and reviews process (pp. 40–41);
the number of local government areas receiving disaster recovery payments and allowances (pp. 42–43);
mutual obligation requirements for people experiencing unemployment and homelessness (p. 45); and
Services Australia’s work with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission on Centrepay issues (pp. 46–47).
National Disability Insurance Agency
2.10Senator the Hon Don Farrell made an opening statement about the government’s commitment to reforming the NDIS, including recent achievements (pp. 47–48).
2.11Ms Rebecca Falkingham PSM, Chief Executive Officer, was joined by officials from the NDIA.
2.12Topics for NDIA included:
the NDIS’ financial sustainability framework (p. 49; and pp. 51–53);
implementing the recommendations from the recent NDIS Review (p. 58);
the regulation and registration of NDIS service providers (p. 58);
flexible working arrangements for NDIA staff (p. 63);
funding of assistance animals in accordance with the NDIA’s assistance animal operational guidelines (pp. 64–65); and
disability supports for palliative care patients (pp. 82–85).
NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
2.13Ms Tracy Mackey, NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner, was joined by officials from the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
2.14Topics discussed for the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission included:
the breakdown of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission’s resourcing (pp. 58–59);
feedback from participants and providers in relation to triaging and assistance with complaints (p. 59); and
the Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) pipeline and the type of SDA provided for single-use occupancies funded by the NDIA (pp. 60–61).
Australian Institute of Family Studies
2.15Ms Liz Neville, Acting Director of AIFS, was joined by officials from AIFS.
2.16Topics discussed for AIFS included:
AIFS’ current state of research in accordance with DSS’ Portfolio Budget Statement for 2023–24 (p. 107); and
staffing restructures to meet new research priorities (p. 108).
Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission
2.17Ms Micaela Cronin, Commissioner, represented the DFSVC.
2.18Topics discussed for DFSVC included:
the composition of the Lived Experience Advisory Council (p. 105);
the progression of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–2032 (National Plan) (p. 106); and
level of transparency in relation to DFSVC’s monitoring and evaluation frameworks for harnessing data on the National Plan, including how to measure success (p. 106).
Health and Aged Care portfolio hearing—15 February 2024
2.19The committee called officers from the Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHAC) to discuss matters relating to Whole of Portfolio and Corporate, and Outcomes 1–4. Mr Blair Comley PSM, Secretary of DoHAC, gave evidence alongside departmental officials.
Whole of Portfolio and Corporate Matters
2.20Topics discussed with DoHAC relating to Whole of Portfolio and Corporate Matters included:
average staffing levels for DoHAC (pp. 7–8);
implications of the new ‘right to disconnect’ legislation for staff (pp. 9–10);
increases to the number of mental health practitioners that are available under Medicare and the Better Access initiative (p. 10);
external reviews commissioned by the Minister for Health and Aged Care (p. 12);
reproductive healthcare, including funding for various maternity and reproductive services (p. 16);
the impact of the Vyvanse (a stimulant medication used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) shortage on Australians (pp. 24–25);
gaps in professional indemnity insurance for participating midwives providing intrapartum care before the person labouring attends hospital (pp. 29–30);
batch testing of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines and broader manufacturing processes undertaken by DoHAC (p. 32); and
the National COVID-19 Clinical Network Taskforce (p. 33).
2.21Topics discussed with DoHAC relating to Outcome 1 included:
the number of visits to urgent care clinics that met the urgent criteria (pp. 46–47);
bulk billing rates in the Australian Capital Territory, including the prevalence of General Practitioner (GP) shortages (pp. 52–54);
the National Immunisation Program and the eligibility requirements for Australians to receive the Shingrix vaccine (pp. 56–59);
the newborn bloodspot screening program (pp. 63–66);
the provision of free rapid antigen tests for concession card holders and pensioners amid ongoing waves and variants of COVID-19 (pp. 66–68);
the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Taskforce report (p. 124);
the cessation of the National Coronavirus Helpline (p. 125);
the approval process of Molnupiravir (a drug to initially treat encephalitis), including decisions to repurpose Molnupiravir as treatments for other health issues (pp. 125–127);
the increase in deaths in 2021 in accordance with Australian Bureau of Statistics data (pp. 128–129);
the effects of myocarditis to the heart and its possible linkages with mRNA-related vaccines (p. 129); and
the broader approval process for COVID-19 vaccines (pp. 132–133).
2.22Topics discussed with DoHAC relating to Outcome 2 included:
the Medicare Benefits Schedule Review, including rebates for gender affirming care and commissioning parents in surrogacy arrangements (pp. 42–43);
general use items from the Prosthesis Reform List (pp. 43–45); and
increases to private health insurance premiums (p. 45).
2.23Topics discussed with DoHAC relating to Outcome 3 included:
the exposure draft and consultation process for the new Aged Care Act (pp. 79–83);
recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (pp. 84–85);
the Future Fit Program and Miles Morgan Australia contract (pp. 85–88);
funding for the Commonwealth Home Support Program (pp. 98–100);
Aged Care Assessment Team wait times for assessments across different jurisdictions (pp. 100–102);
Home Care Package wait lists (pp. 103–105);
the budget for the Support at Home Program (pp. 109–110); and
care minutes and the proportion of services meeting mandated care minutes (pp. 111–112).
2.24Topics discussed with DoHAC relating to Outcome 4 included:
vacancies on the Australian Sports Foundation, Sport Integrity Australia and Australian Sports Commission board (pp. 114–116);
preparations for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games (pp. 116–120); and
applications for the Play Our Way grant and associated guidelines (pp. 121–123).
Health and Aged Care portfolio agencies
2.25The committee continued its examination of the Health and Aged Care portfolio by calling officers from the following agencies and statutory offices:
Professional Services Review;
Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency;
Cancer Australia;
Food Standards Australia New Zealand;
National Rural Health Commissioner;
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission;
Inspector-General of Aged Care;
Australian Sports Commission; and
Sport Integrity Australia.
Professional Services Review
2.26Dr Antonio Di Dio, Acting Director, Professional Services Review (PSR), was joined by officials from the PSR.
2.27Topics discussed for PSR included:
the structures by which PSR investigates allegations of misconduct by health professionals in the Medicare context (pp. 34–37).
Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
2.28Mr Martin Fletcher, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra), was joined by officials from Ahpra.
2.29Topics discussed for Ahpra included:
actions taken in response to antisemitic commentary and antisemitic complaints against health practitioners (pp. 68–70);
ways of ensuring that doctors remain up to date with relevant training and continuing professional development (p. 70); and
the breakdown of current care workforce numbers across Australia for registered nurses, GPs, disability care workers and aged care workers (p. 71).
Cancer Australia
2.30Professor Dorothy Keefe PSM MD, Chief Executive Officer, Cancer Australia, was joined by officials from Cancer Australia.
2.31Topics discussed for Cancer Australia included:
access to clinical trials, including the assessment of new cancer drugs to improve outcomes for patients (p. 72); and
the implementation of the Australian Cancer Plan, including associated partnerships under the plan (pp. 72–73).
Food Standards Australia New Zealand
2.32Dr Sandra Cuthbert, Chief Executive Officer, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), was joined by officials from FSANZ.
2.33Topics discussed for FSANZ included:
consultations on lab grown food (pp. 73–75); and
the prevalence of bisphenol A and poly-fluoroalkyl substances in food packaging (pp. 76–78).
National Rural Health Commissioner
2.34Adjunct Professor Ruth Stewart, Commissioner, represented the National Rural Health Commission.
2.35Topics discussed for the National Rural Health Commission included:
rural maternity care in remote and Indigenous communities (p. 78); and
the National Rural and Remote Nursing Generalist Framework (p. 78).
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
2.36Ms Janet Anderson PSM, Commissioner, represented the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
2.37Topics discussed for the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission included:
consultancy firms chosen to undertake aged care safety inspections (pp. 105–106); and
the relationship between care minutes and star ratings (pp. 111–113).
Inspector-General of Aged Care
2.38Mr Ian Yates, Inspector-General, represented the Office of the Inspector-General of Aged Care.
2.39Topics discussed for the Inspector-General of Aged Care included:
the systemic issues in relation to My Aged Care (p. 94); and
the independence of the Office of the Inspector-General of Aged Care (p. 94); and
the extension of the Commonwealth Home Support Program until 2027 and its transition from existing packages into the Support at Home program (pp. 95–96).
Australian Sports Commission
2.40Mr Kieren Perkins OAM, Chief Executive Officer, represented the Australian Sports Commission.
2.41Topics discussed for the Australian Sports Commission included:
the decisions around the operation of the Australia Institute of Sport remaining in Canberra (p. 116).
Sport Integrity Australia
2.42Mr David Sharpe APM OAM, Chief Executive Officer, represented Sport Integrity Australia.
2.43Topics discussed for Sport Integrity Australia included:
rules around testing for international and national-level athletes, including anti-doping processes (pp. 123–124).
Social Services portfolio spill over hearing—18 March 2024
2.44The committee called officers from DSS to discuss matters relating to Whole of Portfolio and Corporate, and Outcome 4. Mr Ray Griggs AO CSC, Secretary of DSS, gave evidence alongside departmental officials.
2.45Topics discussed with DSS relating to Whole of Portfolio and Corporate Matters included:
the breakdown of DSS’ staffing structures and policies, including general code of conduct investigations (pp. 3–6); and
additional indexation funding for community sector organisations (pp. 14–15).
2.46Topics discussed with DSS relating to Outcome 4 included:
The Guardian’s report into premature deaths of people experiencing homelessness (pp. 6–8);
the data improvement plan for the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement, including the provision of indexation to wages (pp. 8–9; pp. 12–13);
the number of Commonwealth Rent Assistance recipients (pp. 8–9);
the Help to Buy Bill 2023 and associated interactions between DSS and the Department of the Treasury (pp. 10–11);
the Housing Australia Future Fund (p. 11; p. 14); and
funding for social housing and the adequacy of income supports amid rising rents (p. 14).
Social Services portfolio agencies
National Disability Insurance Agency
2.47Ms Rebecca Falkingham PSM, Chief Executive Officer, was joined by officials from the NDIA.
2.48Topics for NDIA included:
the Thomas Hofer case, including the work of the NDIA’s Justice Planning Team concerning participants exiting the justice setting (pp. 16–18);
difficulties requesting a change of circumstances review including arranging an emergency rollover of funds (pp. 19–20; p. 22);
the NDIS Fraud Fusion Taskforce and associated investigations into the plan management sector (p. 22);
Annual Financial Sustainability Reporting (pp. 23–27; 29–33);
delays experienced by participants since the implementation of the PACE customer relationship management system (pp. 27–29); and
community connections plans and training undertaken by local area coordinators (pp. 27–29).
Senator Marielle Smith
Chair