1.1
The Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee (committee) examined the proposed 2022–23 budget expenditure for the Health portfolio and the Social Services portfolio at public hearings held on 1, 6, and 7 April 2022.
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 2022–23 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 2023 [Supply Bill (No. 1) 2022–2023];
particulars of certain proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2023 [Supply Bill (No. 2) 2022–2023]; and
particulars of proposed expenditure in relation to the parliamentary departments in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2023 [Supply (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2022–2023].
1.4
The Portfolio Budget Statements for 2022–23 were tabled in the Senate on 29 March 2022.
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
Agencies within the Health portfolio and Social Services portfolio have remained unchanged since the 2021–2022 Budget estimates.
Health portfolio
1.7
The committee examined the outcomes of the Health portfolio at its hearings on 1 and 6 April 2022. Evidence was provided by the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC.
The Minister for Health and Aged Care was represented by Senator the Hon Anne Ruston. Evidence was also provided by senior officers of the Health portfolio led by the Secretary of the Department of Health, Dr Brendan Murphy.
1.8
Specifically, the committee heard evidence from all outcomes of the Department of Health, as well as from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, Therapeutic Goods Administration, Office of the Gene Technology Regulator, National Rural Health Commissioner, Sport Australia and Sport Integrity Australia.
Social Services portfolio
1.9
At its hearings on 1 and 7 April 2022, 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 the Minister for Government Services, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC and senior officers of the Social Services portfolio, led by the Secretary of the Department of Social Services, Mr Ray Griggs AO CSC.
1.10
The committee heard evidence from outcomes 1, 2 and 3 of the Department of Social Services as well as the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, and Services Australia.
Questions on notice
1.11
In accordance with Standing Order 26, the committee informed the departments and their agencies of the agreed deadline of Friday, 20 May 2022 for the receipt of answers to questions taken on notice.
1.12
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
1.13
A verbatim record of the committee's hearings is made via the Committee Hansard, which is published on the estimates webpage.
1.14
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
1.15
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.