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 4 February 2025, the Senate referred the following documents to legislation committees for examination:
Particulars of proposed additional expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2025 [Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2024-2025];
Particulars of certain proposed additional expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2025 [Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2024-2025]; and
Particulars of proposed additional expenditure in relation to the parliamentary departments in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2025 [Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 2) 2024-2025].
1.3The Portfolio Budget Statements for 2024–25 were tabled in the Senate on the same day.
Budget Estimates hearings
1.4On 28 November 2024, the Senate resolved that the committee’s additional budget estimates hearings would occur on Wednesday, 26 February and Thursday, 27 February 2025.
1.5On 26 February 2025, the committee examined the additional budget expenditure for the Health and Aged Care portfolio.
1.6On 27 February 2025, the committee examined the additional budget expenditure for the Social Services portfolio.
Health and Aged Care portfolio
1.7The committee heard from Senator the Hon Malarndirri McCarthy, Minister for Indigenous Australians, 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.
1.8Evidence was also provided by senior officers of the Department of Health and Aged Care led by the Secretary, Mr Blair Comley PSM, as well as the following agencies and statutory offices:
the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare;
the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission;
the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority;
the Inspector-General of Aged Care;
the Australian Sports Commission;
the National Blood Authority; and
the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator.
1.9At the invitation of the committee, Ms Kym Ayscough, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, appeared at these estimates hearings and gave evidence.
1.10The following agencies were scheduled to appear before the committee, but were released without questioning:
the Professional Services Review;
the Australian Digital Health Agency;
the National Health and Medical Research Council;
the National Rural Health Commissioner; and
the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme.
Social Services portfolio
1.11The committee heard from Senator the Hon Don Farrell, Special Minister of State and Minister for Trade and Tourism and Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher, Minister for Women, Minister for Government Services, Minister for Finance and Minister for the Public Service, representing minister:
The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP, Minister for Social Services and Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
1.12Evidence was also provided by senior officers of the Department of Social Services led by the Secretary, Mr Michael Lye, as well as the following agencies and statutory offices:
the National Disability Insurance Agency;
the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission;
the Australian Institute of Family Studies;
Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission; and
Services Australia.
Note on this report
1.13This 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 2024–25 budget expenditure.
Questions on notice
1.14In accordance with Standing Order 26, the committee informed the departments and their agencies of the agreed deadline of Monday 24 March 2025 for the receipt of answers to questions taken on notice.
1.15Tabled 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
1.16References 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
1.17The 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 2024–25 additional estimates hearings.