1.1
The Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee (committee) examined the proposed 2021–22 budget expenditure for the Health portfolio and the Social Services portfolio at public hearings held on 1, 2, 3 and 4 June 2021. An additional hearing was held on 3 September 2021.
1.2
This report does not attempt to analyse the evidence presented to the committee; however, it outlines the key issues considered by the committee during its examination of the proposed 2021–22 budget expenditure.
1.3
The Senate referred the following documents to committees for examination and report:
particulars of proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2022 [Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2021–2022];
particulars of certain proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2022 [Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2021–2022];
particulars of proposed expenditure in relation to the Parliamentary Departments in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2022 [Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2021–2022].
1.4
The Portfolio Budget Statements for 2021–22 were tabled in the Senate on 11 May 2021.
Portfolio oversight
1.5
The committee is responsible for examining the proposed expenditure of the department and agencies within the Health portfolio and the Social Services portfolio.
1.6
The committee notes the Administrative Arrangements Order (AAO) of 15 April 2021 that saw responsibility for the Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) transfer from the Department of Social Services to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
1.7
The Social Services portfolio now includes the following agencies:
Department of Social Services (Department of State)
Australian Institute of Family Studies
NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)
1.8
The Health portfolio has remained unchanged.
Health portfolio
1.9
The committee examined the outcomes of the health portfolio at its hearings on 1 and 2 June 2021 and on 3 September 2021. Evidence was provided by Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck, Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, and Minister for Sport, representing the Minister for Health and Aged Care. Evidence was also provided by senior officers of the health portfolio led by the Secretary of the Department of Health, Dr Brendan Murphy.
1.10
Specifically, the committee heard evidence from all outcomes of the Department of Health, as well as from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, National Mental Health Commission, National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Australian Sports Foundation, Sport Australia (Australian Institute of Sport), Sport Integrity Australia and Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
Social services portfolio
1.11
At its hearings on 3 and 4 June 2021, as well as 3 September 2021, the committee examined the outcomes of the social services portfolio. Evidence was provided by Senator the Hon Anne Ruston, Minister for Families and Social Services and Minister for Women's Safety. Evidence was also provided by Senator Linda Reynolds CSC, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme and Minister for Government Services and senior officers of the Social services portfolio, led by the former Secretary of the Department of Social Services, Ms Kathryn Campbell AO CSC. The new Secretary of the Department of Social Services, Mr Ray Griggs AO CSC appeared at the spill over hearing.
1.12
The committee heard evidence from all outcomes of the Department of Social Services as well as the NDIA, NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, and Services Australia.
Procedural matters
Public Interest Immunity Claim
1.13
At a private meeting on 20 May 2021, the committee considered correspondence from the Minister for Sport claiming public interest immunity (PII) in relation to a question on notice requesting documents from the administration of the Community Sport Infrastructure Grants Program. The committee resolved through a vote to accept the PII. The letter provided information on the grounds of the specific harm that could occur should documents subject to cabinet deliberations be made public:
The confidence of Ministers now and into the future in the confidentiality of the Cabinet process would be diminished if the details of Cabinet deliberations were to be disclosed prior to the open access period provided for in the Archives Act 1983. Disclosure prior to the open access period risks harm through a weakening of adherence by current and future Ministers to the formal process for confidentiality of matters for consideration by Cabinet, draft and final Cabinet documents, briefing and record keeping of Cabinet. Furthermore, unless Ministers can be assured of the confidentiality of Cabinet meetings, they may not speak freely or honestly between themselves and may be more likely to supress their views on present policies that may be unpopular or politically embarrassing. Any of these outcomes would ultimately impact negatively on Australia's national interest.
1.14
During the hearing for the Health portfolio on 2 June 2021, Senator Farrell raised questions about the PII. Senator Colbeck commented on his support for the PII and noted that the claim was accepted by the committee.
1.15
At a private meeting on 11 August 2021, the committee considered correspondence from the Minister for Government Services, Minister Reynolds, claiming PII in relation to legal advice and a specific executive minute relating to the Income Compliance Program. The PII claim covered questions regarding these matters during the Budget Estimates spill over hearing and associated questions on notice. The committee resolved through a vote to accept the PII.
Questions on notice
1.16
In accordance with Standing Order 26, the committee informed the departments and their agencies of the agreed deadline of Wednesday, 28 July 2021 for the receipt of answers to questions taken on notice.
1.17
Tabled documents from the hearing, along with responses to questions on notice and additional information provided to the committee are tabled in the Senate and uploaded to the committee's website.
Hansard transcripts
1.18
A verbatim record of the committee's hearings is made via the Committee Hansard, which is published on the estimates webpage.
1.19
References in this report are to the proof Committee Hansard. Page numbers may vary between the proof and the final versions of the Committee Hansard.
Acknowledgments
1.20
The committee thanks the ministers and officers of the Health portfolio and Social Services portfolio who provided evidence and support for the committee's hearings.