Chapter 1Overview
Introduction
1.1The Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee (the committee) is responsible for examining the proposed expenditure of the departments and agencies within the Social Services and Health and Aged Care portfolios.
Referral of documents
1.2On 9 May 2023, the Senate referred the following documents to legislation committees for examination:
particulars of proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2024;
particulars of certain proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2024;
particulars of proposed expenditure in relation to the parliamentary departments in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2024;
particulars of proposed additional expenditure in relation to the parliamentary departments in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2023;
particulars of proposed additional expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2023 [Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2022–2023]; and
particulars of certain proposed additional expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2023 [Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2022–2023].
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 27 June 2023 was set for the committee’s report to the Senate on its consideration of the 2023–24 budget estimates. On 20 June 2023, the Senate granted an extension of time to report until 3 August 2023.
Budget Estimates hearings
1.5On 30 November 2023, the Senate resolved that the committee’s budget estimates hearings would occur on 30 May–2 June 2023 (inclusive).
1.6On 30 and 31 May 2023, the committee examined the proposed budget expenditure for the Social Services portfolio.
1.7On 1 and 2 June 2023, the committee examined the proposed budget expenditure for the Health and Aged Care portfolio.
Social Services portfolio
1.8The 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.
1.9Evidence was also provided by senior officers of DSS, led by the Secretary of the Department of Social Services (DSS), Mr Ray Griggs AO CSC, as well as the following agencies and statutory offices:
Australian Institute of Family Studies;
Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission;
National Disability Insurance Agency;
NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission; and
Services Australia.
Health and Aged Care portfolio
1.10The 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.
1.11Evidence was also provided by senior officers of the Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHAC), led by the Secretary of DoHAC, Professor Brendan Murphy AC, as well as the following agencies and statutory offices:
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission;
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare;
Australian Sports Commission;
Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority; and
National Rural Health Commissioner.
1.12At 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.
1.13The following agencies were scheduled to appear before the committee, but were released without questioning:
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care;
Australian Digital Health Agency;
Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency;
Australian Sports Foundation;
Food Standards Australia New Zealand;
National Health and Medical Research Council;
National Mental Health Commission;
Professional Services Review; and
Sport Integrity Australia.
Note on this report
1.14This 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 proposed 2023–24 budget expenditure.
Questions on notice
1.15In accordance with Standing Order 26, the committee informed the departments and their agencies of the agreed deadline of Friday, 14 July 2023 for the receipt of answers to questions taken on notice.
1.16On 21 June 2023, DoHAC requested and were subsequently granted an extension by the committee until 28 July 2023 to submit responses to questions 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 budget estimates hearings.