1.1
The Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee (the committee) examined the proposed 2022–23 budget expenditure for the Social Services portfolio and Health and Aged Care portfolio at public hearings held on 8, 9 and 10 November 2022. The committee also held an additional hearing on 15 December 2022 for the Social Services portfolio.
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 legislation committees for examination:
particulars of proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending on
30 June 2023;
particulars of certain proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2023;
particulars of proposed expenditure in relation to the parliamentary departments in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2023;
particulars of proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending on
30 June 2023 [Supply Bill (No. 3) 2022–2023];
particulars of certain proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2023 [Supply Bill (No. 4) 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. 2) 2022–2023].
1.4
The Portfolio Budget Statements for 2022–23 were tabled in the Senate on 25 October 2022.
Portfolio oversight
1.5
The committee is responsible for examining the proposed expenditure of the department and agencies within the Social Services and Health and Aged Care portfolios.
1.6
Following the 1 July 2022 Machinery of Government changes, the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission (DFSVC) was established as part of the Social Services Portfolio. The following changes were made within the Health and Aged Care portfolio:
the Health portfolio was renamed the Health and Aged Care portfolio;
the Department of Health was renamed the Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHAC); and
the Independent Hospital Pricing Authority was renamed the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA).
1.7
The DoHAC also advised that the Aged Care Pricing Commission was discontinued, with a portion of its responsibilities now subsumed under the broader functions of IHACPA.
1.8
At the invitation of the committee, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) appeared at these estimates hearings and gave evidence.
Social Services portfolio
1.9
On 8 and 9 November 2022, the committee examined the outcomes of the Social Services portfolio. The committee also held an additional hearing on 15 December 2022 and examined the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).
1.10
Evidence was provided by 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 the Minister for Social Services, the Hon Amanda Rishworth MP.
1.11
Evidence was also provided by senior officers of the Social Services portfolio, led by the Secretary of the Department of Social Services (DSS), Mr Ray Griggs AO CSC.
1.12
The committee took evidence from the DSS, as well as the following agencies and statutory officers:
Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS);
Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission (DFSVC);
National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA);
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS);
NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission; and
Health and Aged Care portfolio
1.13
On 8 and 10 November 2022, the committee examined the outcomes of the Health and Aged Care portfolio.
1.14
Evidence was provided by 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 the Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon Mark Butler MP.
1.15
Evidence was also provided by senior officers of the Health and Aged Care portfolio, led by the Secretary of the DoHAC, Professor Brendan Murphy AC.
1.16
The committee took evidence from the DoHAC, as well as the following agencies and statutory officers:
National Blood Authority;
National Mental Health Commission;
Office of the Gene Technology Regulator;
Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency;
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare;
Food Standards Australia and New Zealand;
National Rural Health Commissioner;
National Health Funding Body
Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation;
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care;
National Health and Medical Research Council;
Australian Digital Health Agency;
Australian Sports Commission (Australian Institute of Sport); and
Sport Integrity Australia.
Questions on notice
1.17
In accordance with Standing Order 26, the committee informed the departments and their agencies of the agreed deadline of Friday,
16 December 2022 for the receipt of answers to questions taken on notice.
1.18
The committee also informed the DSS and NDIA of the agreed deadline of Monday, 23 January 2023 for the receipt of answers to questions taken on notice following the 15 December 2022 spill over hearing.
1.19
Tabled 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.
Hansard transcripts
1.20
A verbatim record of the committee’s hearing is produced via the Committee Hansard, which is also published on the estimates webpage.
1.21
References in this report are to the proof Committee Hansard. Page numbers may vary between the proof and final versions of the Committee Hansard.
Acknowledgements
1.22
The committee thanks the ministers and officers of the Social Services and Health and Aged Care portfolios who provided evidence and support for the committee’s 2022–23 budget estimates hearings.