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 14 May 2024, the Senate referred the following documents to legislation committees for examination:
particulars of proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2025;
particulars of certain proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2025;
particulars of proposed expenditure in relation to the parliamentary departments in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2025;
particulars of proposed additional expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2024 [Appropriation Bill (No. 5) 2023-2024]; and
particulars of certain proposed additional expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2024 [Appropriation Bill (No. 6) 2023-2024].
1.3The Portfolio Budget Statements for 2024–25 were tabled in the Senate on the same day.
Budget Estimates hearings
1.4On 19 October 2023, the Senate resolved that the committee’s budget estimates hearings would occur on 3–6 June 2024 (inclusive).
1.5On 3 and 4 June 2024, the committee examined the budget expenditure for the Social Services portfolio.
1.6On 5 and 6 June 2024, the committee examined the budget expenditure for the Health and Aged Care portfolio.
Social Services portfolio
1.7The 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.
1.8Evidence was also provided by senior officers of the Department of Social Services (DSS), led by the Secretary of DSS, Mr Ray Griggs AO CSC, as well as the following agencies and statutory offices:
Services Australia;
National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA);
NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS Commission);
Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS); and
Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission (DSFVC).
Health and Aged Care portfolio
1.9The 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.
1.10Evidence 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:
Food Standards Australia New Zealand;
National Health and Medical Research Council;
National Rural Health Commissioner;
Office of the Gene Technology Regulator;
National Blood Authority;
Professional Services Review;
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission;
Independent Aged Care Pricing Authority;
Inspector-General of Aged Care; and
Australian Sports Commission.
1.11At 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.
1.12The following agencies were scheduled to appear before the committee, but were released without questioning:
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare; and
Sport Integrity 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 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 Thursday 25 July 2024 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 Budget Estimates 2024–25 hearings.