Chapter 1Overview
Introduction
1.1The Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee (the committee) is responsible for examining the additional expenditure of the departments and agencies within the Social Services and Health and Aged Care portfolios.
Referral of documents
1.2On 7 February 2024, the Senate referred the following documents to legislation committees for examination:
Particulars of proposed additional expenditure in relation to the parliamentary departments in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2024 [Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 2) 2023–2024].
Particulars of estimates proposed additional expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2024 [Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2023–2024]; and
Particulars of certain proposed additional expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2024 [Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2023–2024].
1.3The Portfolio Budget Statements for 2023–24 were tabled in the Senate on the same day.
Extension to the reporting date
1.4A reporting date of 19 March 2024 was set for the committee’s report to the Senate on its consideration of the Additional Estimates 2023–24.On 18 March 2024, the Senate granted an extension of time to report until 28 March 2024.
Budget Estimates hearings
1.5On 19 October 2023, the Senate resolved that the committee’s additional budget estimates hearings would occur on 14–15 February 2024 (inclusive).
1.6On 14 February 2024, the committee examined the additional budget expenditure for the Social Services portfolio.
1.7On 15 February 2024, the committee examined the additional budget expenditure for the Health and Aged Care portfolio.
1.8On 18 March 2024, the committee held an additional hearing and examined the Department of Social Services (DSS) and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).
Social Services portfolio
1.9The committee heard from Senator the Hon Don Farrell, Special Minister of State and Minister for Trade and Tourism and Senator the Hon Tim Ayres, Assistant Minister for Trade and Assistant Minister for Manufacturing, representing ministers:
The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP, Minister for Social Services; and
The Hon Bill Shorten MP, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Minister for Government Services.
1.10Evidence was also provided by senior officers of DSS, led by the Secretary of DSS, Mr Ray Griggs AO CSC, as well as the following agencies and statutory offices:
Services Australia;
NDIA;
NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission;
Australian Institute of Family Studies; and
Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission.
Health and Aged Care portfolio
1.11The committee heard from Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher, Minister for Women, Minister for Finance and Minister for the Public Service and Senator the Hon Malarndirri McCarthy, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians and Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health, representing ministers:
The Hon Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care; and
The Hon Anika Wells MP, Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Sport.
1.12Evidence was also provided by senior officers of the Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHAC), led by the Secretary of DoHAC, Mr Blair Comley PSM, as well as 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.
1.13At the invitation of the committee, Mr Martin Fletcher, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, appeared at these estimates hearings and gave evidence.
1.14The following agencies were scheduled to appear before the committee, but were released without questioning:
Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency;
Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority;
National Blood Authority; and
Office of the Gene Technology Regulator.
Note on this report
1.15This report does not attempt to analyse the evidence presented to the committee; rather, it outlines the key issues considered by the committee during its examination of the additional 2023–24 budget expenditure.
Questions on notice
1.16In accordance with Standing Order 26, the committee informed the departments and their agencies of the agreed deadline of Thursday 4 April 2024 for the receipt of answers to questions taken on notice.
1.17Tabled documents from the hearings, in addition to responses to questions on notice and additional information provided to the committee, are tabled in the Senate and published on the committee’s website.
Notes on references and additional information
1.18References in this report are to the Proof Committee Hansard. Page numbers may vary between the Proof and the final versions of the Committee Hansard.
Acknowledgements
1.19The committee thanks the ministers and officers of the Social Services and Health and Aged Care portfolios who provided evidence and for their support of the committee’s 2023–24 additional estimates hearings.