Report on Additional Estimates 2007-2008
1.1
On 13 February 2008 the Senate referred
the following documents to the Committee for examination and report in relation
to the portfolios of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous
Affairs; and Health and Ageing:
- particulars of proposed additional expenditure in respect of the
year ending on 30 June 2008
- particulars of certain proposed additional expenditure in respect
of the year ending on 30 June 2008
- Issues from the Advance to the Finance Minister as a final charge
for the year ended 30 June 2007
-
Final budget outcome 2006-07.
1.2
The Committee has considered the additional expenditure of the
portfolios set out in their respective Portfolio Additional Estimates
Statements 2007-2008 (PAES). Explanations relating to the estimates were
received from Senator the Hon Jan McLucas, Parliamentary Secretary to the
Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator the Hon Chris Evans, Minister for
Immigration and Citizenship representing the Minister for Families, Housing,
Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, and Senator the Hon Ursula Stephens,
Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector
representing the Ministers for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous
Affairs and the Status of Women, and officers from the portfolio Departments at
hearings held from 20 to 22 February 2008.
1.3
The Committee expresses its appreciation for the assistance of the
Minister; Parliamentary Secretaries; Dr Jeff Harmer, Secretary, Department
of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA); and
Ms Jane Halton, Secretary, Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA); and the
officers who appeared before it.
1.4
In accordance with Standing Order 26, the date for submission to the
Committee of written answers to questions or additional information relating to
the expenditure is 11 April 2008.
1.5
The Committee discussed many of the expenditure proposals and information
contained in the PAES. These discussions are detailed in the Committee’s Hansard
transcripts of 20, 21 and 22 February 2008, copies of which will be tabled in
the Senate. Hansard transcripts of the estimates proceedings are also
accessible on the Committee’s website at http://www.aph.gov.au/senate_ca. Answers
to questions taken on notice and tabled documents relating to the Committee's
hearings will be tabled separately in the Senate. Consolidated volumes of this
additional information may be accessed from the Committee's website.
Procedural matters
1.6
Generally, questions in both portfolios pursued information, followed
issues that had recent media coverage and again pursued at some length progress
with matters that had been the subject of Committee inquiries in recent years.
1.7
The Committee's continuing interest in its inquiries was also reflected
in requests for a number of briefings from both portfolios, especially in
relation to mental health and Indigenous issues. The portfolios also offered
private briefings to individual Senators in relation to some issues.
1.8
Many questions were asked about the implementation of policy proposals
based on the incoming ALP Government's election platform. Little information
was forthcoming other than that matters were under consideration and that any
expenditure may be included in the Budget estimates subject to decisions having
been reached by that time. Departments were effectively put on notice that
these issues would be pursued at the Budget round of estimates.
Disclosure of 'protected information'
1.9
The operation of the protected information provisions of the Aged Care
Act came under the spotlight during the hearings. The Committee was most
dissatisfied with the Department's attitude to informing the Committee of
developments relating to the altered status and detail of specific information
sought by the Committee.
1.10
In response to questions on 20 February relating to the non-compliance
with accreditation standards by the Murwillumbah Nursing Home, the Committee
was advised:
...that remains protected
information until it is able to be released at the completion of the appeals
period.
...We made the decision on 8
February and, in accordance with the legislation ... they have 14 days in
which to lodge an application for reconsideration.[1]
After much discussion regarding the
date which the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency (ACSAA) could
expect the Murwillumbah Nursing Home to comply with the standards and ACSAA's
initial reply 'we are getting caught up in the protected information', the
Committee was finally informed that the Home had three months from 8 February 2008 to complete improvements to become compliant.[2]
1.11
The Murwillumbah Nursing Home was the subject of further questions at
the hearing on 22 February. Later in the proceedings the issue of the protected
information and its release was again raised as it was found that the
information had been released by the Minister during Question Time in the House
of Representatives on the previous day.[3]
1.12
In response to why this protected information was and could be released
early, and why the Committee had not been informed that this was possible, or
even as a courtesy advised when the information was made publicly available,
DoHA provided answers which the Committee considers to be rather 'narrow responses',
and thus very unsatisfactory and unhelpful.[4]
An extract from the debate follows:
Ms Smith – But we have had instances on
more than one occasion when there has been a degree of community interest in
the issue. There are also provisions within the Aged Care Act that enable a
delegate of the secretary to make certain information available. The delegate
has to sign an instrument authorising the release of that information. That
instrument has now been signed and that information was duly made available
yesterday.
Senator HUMPHRIES – To Minister Elliott.
Ms Smith – To Minister Elliott, who then
made it publicly available.
Senator HUMPHRIES – For what reason did the
delegate make the instrument available? Was there a request from Minister Elliott
for the information to be made available?
Ms Smith – I think it was clear from the
discussion on Wednesday night that there was a degree of community interest in
having that information available.
Senator HUMPHRIES – There was a degree of
Senate committee interest as well. If the instrument was signed yesterday to
release information, why couldn’t that have been provided to this committee,
because it requested it repeatedly on Wednesday night.
Ms Smith – The instrument had not been
signed on Wednesday night, so we could not have made that information available
on Wednesday night.
Senator HUMPHRIES – You
misunderstand my question. I appreciate that the instrument was not signed on
Wednesday night; it was obviously signed on Thursday, some time before 3.22 pm, when the question was asked of Minister Elliott. But this committee has been
meeting since nine o’clock this morning and there were questions about
Murwillumbah Nursing Home this morning and the information was not provided to
us, even though it had been asked for repeatedly on Wednesday night. If I had
not raised it, when was it going to be provided to us?
...
Senator HUMPHRIES – Ms
Halton, I put it to you that if this committee asked for that information and
was told that it could not be provided because it was protected and
subsequently an order was made by a delegate to unprotect the information, it
should have been brought back here and provided to the committee.[5]
Provision of answers relating to Additional Estimates
2006-07
1.13
The Committee is pleased to acknowledge DoHA's efforts in providing
answers to questions on notice relating to the budget estimates. Almost half of
the answers were received by the due date, 27 July 2007, and most of the
remaining answers were provided progressively by October 2007. A small number of
remaining answers were provided prior to the commencement of the additional
estimates hearings.
1.14
FaHCSIA did not provide any answers to questions on notice by the due
date, though approximately a third of the answers were provided by October 2007.
The remaining outstanding answers were provided to the Committee the day before
the additional estimates hearing.
1.15
The Committee was advised on 21 February 2008 that changes to the
Administrative Arrangements Orders had resulted in 34 questions being
transferred from FaHCSIA to other Departments before answers could be cleared.
Revisions to Portfolio Structure and Outcomes 2007-2008
1.16
The tables on the following pages outline the changes to the portfolios structure
and outcomes resulting from the Administrative Arrangements Order (AAO) released on 3 December 2007 and revised on 25 January 2008.
1.17
Even though these estimates were conducted with changes to the AAOs (the
transfer of child care matters from FaHCSIA had a noticeably disruptive impact
on the timing of that portfolio's hearing) and Senators readjusting to
different roles in government and opposition, Committee members continue to
experience difficulties in identifying where many subjects are located within
the portfolio structure. While Departmental officers are helpful in assisting
Senators on the hearing day, confusion with portfolio structures (DoHA now has
15 Outcomes) leads to considerable disruption to the continuity of the hearings
and Senators' capacity to ask questions.
1.18
These difficulties are not limited to intra portfolio structures but
apply across portfolios. The Committee has commented previously on this issue
but there remains an on-going difficulty for Senators with the Human Services
portfolio, particularly Centrelink, being in the Finance and Public
Administration Committee due to the cross over with FaHCSIA between policy and
its implementation and administration. Issues with the NT Emergency Response
and Indigenous affairs generally were an especially notable example during this
round of estimates hearings.
Changes to the Families, Housing,
Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Portfolio since the 2007-08 Budget
arising from the Administrative Arrangements Order (AAO) released 3.12.07,
revised 25.01.08
Outcomes/functions
transferred from the former Department of Families, Community Services and
Indigenous Affairs
|
Outcomes/Functions
|
Agency/Department
|
|
The Australian Institute of Family Studies
|
This agency transferred from the former portfolio of Families,
Community Services and Indigenous Affairs to the Portfolio of Prime Minister
and Cabinet
|
|
Early childhood and child care programs and policy functions under
Output Group 3.3 and other functions across Outcome 3.
Programs and functions that transferred include: Child Care Benefit;
Jobs, Education and Training Child Care Fee Assistance; Child Care Tax
Rebate; Child Care Management System; Child Care Support Program; National
Child Care Accreditation Council; Australian Government Accreditation Review
Council; Australian Early Development index; Home Interaction Program; Support
for Child Care Specific Purpose Payment; and Children's Services Local
Government Area
|
These programs and functions transferred from the former Department
of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaCSIA) to DEEWR
|
|
Youth programs and policy functions under Output 2.4, including the
Source website, the Transition to Independent Living Allowance, Mentor
Marketplace, the National Youth Affairs Research Program, the National Youth
Roundtable, the Ship for World Youth Program, YouthLinx and the Youth Bureau
|
These programs and functions transferred from FaCSIA to DEEWR
|
Outcomes/functions
transferred to the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and
Indigenous Affairs
|
Outcomes/Functions
|
Agency/Department
|
|
Indigenous Business Australia
|
This agency transferred to FaHCSIA from the former portfolio of
Employment and Workplace Relations
|
|
Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency
|
This agency transferred to FaHCSIA from the former portfolio of
Employment and Workplace Relations
|
|
Disability Support Pension
|
This program transferred to FaHCSIA from the former DEWR, from
Outcome 1: Efficient and effective labour market assistance, specifically
Output Group 1.1 – Working Age Payments
|
|
Community Development and Employment Projects
|
This program transferred to FaHCSIA from the former DEWR, from
Outcome 3: Increased workforce participation, Output Group 3.2 – Labour
Market Strategies
|
|
Health and Ageing Portfolio
|
|
Outcomes/Functions
|
Agency/Department
|
|
Outcome 15
Development of a stronger and internationally
competitive Australian sports sector and encouragement of greater participation
in sport by all Australians
|
The Outcome functions were transferred to DoHA from
the former Communications, Information Technology and the Arts portfolio
|
|
Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority
|
This agency transferred to DoHA from
the former portfolio of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts
|
|
Australian Sports Commission
|
This agency transferred to DoHA from
the former portfolio of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts
|
Issues
Health
and Ageing portfolio
1.19
Estimates for DoHA commenced with the Committee asking questions
relating to some corporate matters, including the number of departmental staff
attached to ministerial offices, e-health projects, efficiency dividend, government
position with regard to outstanding responses to Committee reports and the advertising
campaign budget. Information was also sought on a range of issues relating to
the Health and Hospitals Reform Commission, including the structure,
time-frame, .terms of reference, appointments, consultation process.[6]
1.20
With regard to population health matters the drug strategy, in
particular the national tobacco campaign commitment and the national education
campaign for responsible drinking practices, were discussed. DoHA informed the
Committee on progress with the bowel cancer and breast cancer screening programs
as well as the Gardasil, sexually transmitted infections, and reproductive
health programs. Sex and health education within schools, pregnancy counselling,
and the healthy kids check program were also discussed.[7]
1.21
The Food Standards Australia New Zealand Agency advised the Committee on
a number of matters relating to food regulation and standards, particularly
labelling and residue limits, the glycaemic index, food preservatives and
additives and pregnancy health advisory labels.[8]
1.22
The Gene Technology Regulator informed the Committee about the Office's
regulatory and monitoring responsibilities, including health and environmental
safety issues.[9]
The Regulator was also questioned about the impact on the Office and its
procedures of the States that are removing controls on genetically modified
crops being grown in their jurisdictions.
1.23
Information was sought from the Therapeutic Goods (TGA) relating to the
process involved if the drug Avastin was to be made available under the
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). The Committee also asked the TGA with
regard to legal action in the Selim case which is currently before the courts. The
TGA also advised the Committee on the warnings issued for the drug Stilnox and
their continual monitoring of side effects of the drug.[10]
1.24
In response to questions concerning the cancer support networks for
people affected by cancer to better support each other Cancer Australia advised
that the applications from cancer support groups had been assessed and the
funding agreements were in the negotiation process. The Agency's programs progress
and staffing levels were also discussed. The Committee was advised that
research projects and the Gynaecological Cancer Centre were progressing well.[11]
1.25
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) provided
information on its current operations, staffing, building accommodation, data
collection and research planning.[12]
1.26
DoHA informed the Committee with regard to the proposed development of
the National Primary Health Care Strategy, and the safety net review. Proposals
for the teen dental program and the government's dental budget were discussed
in some detail. Bulk billing rates for Medicare services were provided.
Information was also sought on the funding allocation for the Medical Services
Advisory Committee (MSAC) and the processes involved in some of MSAC's
functions and decision making. Access to the MBS and PBS by remote area nurses
and remote nurse practitioners, radiation therapy internships and the
undergraduate program were also included in discussions. [13]
1.27
Senators asked a range of questions relating to pharmaceutical services,
including breast cancer and Parkinson's disease treatment drugs and drugs for
other life-threatening and rare diseases. Proposals for the establishment of GP
superclinics were also discussed in some detail, as well as services for children
with autism spectrum disorders, e-health systems, the Rural Health Strategy, Regional
Health Services Program and hearing services.[14]
1.28
The Committee was advised of details of the medical labour force,
particularly with regard to workforce numbers and areas of need. The Bringing
Nurses Back into the Workforce program, the dental workforce, education for
dentistry in regional areas, clinical training for enrolled nurses, and the
general practice training program were also discussed in some detail.[15]
1.29
Provision of clinical services and standards, waiting lists and
performance reporting were also included in discussions. Senators sought
information on a wide range of issues relating to the proposed public dental
program and organ and tissue donation[16]
1.30
Private health insurance matters included membership levels, rebates,
Lifetime Health Cover, premium levels, the Medicare levy, and private health
funds.[17]
1.31
A number of aged care matters were discussed including the proposed
Ministerial Council on Ageing and the Ambassador for Ageing, HACC funding,
benchmarks for aged care places, labour shortages in aged care facilities. The
Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency (ACSAA) advised the Committee with
regard to the number of homes accredited, including the levels of
accreditation, and number of homes under sanction, national standards for
services. Senators also sought information concerning sanctions and the failure
to meet accreditation standards in some particular aged care facilities,
including Belvedere Park and the Murwillumbah Nursing Home.[18]
1.32
The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Agency and the Australian
Sports Commission appeared before the Committee for the first time following
transfer to the Health and Ageing portfolio resulting from AAO changes. A wide
range of questions were put to both agencies. Included in discussions were drug
testing, staffing levels, support for sporting programs, preparation and
funding for the Beijing Olympics and the Paralympic Games, talent
identification programs, sporting opportunities for people with a disability
and encouragement of sport and fitness for young people. Funding for sporting
organisations and sport awards and sponsorship were also discussed.[19]
1.33
The Committee sought information in a number of areas relating to
Indigenous health, including funding and delivery of child health checks and
follow-up treatment as part of the Northern Territory Emergency Response; drug
and alcohol services; special children's services for children traumatised by abuse;
training for staff to deliver services and provision of other resources; nurse
home visiting programs; transportation and assistance for children requiring
hospitalisation; efforts to control petrol sniffing and issues with the further
rollout of Opal fuel to some roadhouses.[20]
1.34
Mental health initiatives and access to and delivery of service
provision were also included in discussions with DoHA. The NHMRC informed the
Committee regarding their current guidelines and planned reviews, research
funding and outputs.[21]
1.35
The findings in the recently released report by the organ donation task
force were discussed together with proposals to increase organ donation rates
in Australia.[22]
Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs portfolio
1.36
A number of questions relating to cross portfolio and corporate matters
were raised with FaHCSIA which included staffing levels, staff attached to
Ministers' offices, sick leave, and efficiency dividends.[23]
1.37
A large amount of FaHCSIA's hearing time was
taken up with the Committee seeking information on a wide range of
Indigenous matters, particularly with regard to planning, co-ordination and proposed
outcomes resulting from government intervention in some Indigenous communities
in the Northern Territory. Major General Dave Chalmers, Commander of the
Northern Territory Emergency Response Operations Centre was in attendance at
the hearing to respond to questions relating to progress with the NT Emergency
Response.
1.38
Indigenous issues which were canvassed in detail included the
consultation process, permit system, safety and protection of children, health
checks, access to medical and hospital treatment, training and provision of
medical and other ancillary staff. Education, housing, employment, assistance
and support for families, welfare assistance, CDEP, law and order, alcohol
rehabilitation, petrol sniffing diversionary programs, youth services, were
also matters discussed at length.[24]
1.39
A particular issue arose over claims that 'gift cards' were being issued
for use at major supermarkets in the Northern Territory. After strong debate, General
Chalmers assured the Committee that:
Gift cards have not been issued by Centrelink. Stored value
cards have been issued by Centrelink for major supermarkets... If it has
happened, it has happened in breach of policy and it has happened at the
supermarket. They would be issues we would be concerned about and follow up on.[25]
1.40
However, at the Finance and Public Administration Committee's estimates hearing,
Mr Jeff Whalan CEO of Centrelink confirmed that gift cards were issued,
stating that:
We use a range of different cards. Here is
the Woolworths card.
It is a generic Woolworths card. When I say it is 'generic', I mean it
is a card which does not enable the purchase of alcohol and cigarettes...We are
using what is available. We basically had to hit the ground incredibly fast and
we hit the ground with what is in the market. Is it ideal? No. But, basically,
we are making the best of the products that currently are available. There
would be better ways of doing it, but we have got to use what we have got.[26]
1.41
The Registrar of Aboriginal Corporations informed the Committee with
regard to powers which can be used to resolve issues within a corporation
regarding constitutional compliance.[27]
1.42
The Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency, which had been
transferred to the FaHCSIA portfolio following recent AAO changes, provided the
Committee with information covering the Agency's functions, roles and
responsibilities, including research undertaken, oversight of legislative
compliance by employers and organisations, and benchmarking of women's
participation in the workforce and the outcomes.[28]
1.43
The Committee asked questions relating to staffing levels and structure
in the Office for Women and sought details of progress with Indigenous women's
programs, the AppointWomen program, the Violence Against Women – Australia Says
No campaign, and programs for women in rural areas.[29]
1.44
FaHCSIA were also asked questions relating to the aged which included
the cost of living index for older people, national reciprocal transport
entitlements, and telephone allowance.[30]
1.45
The progress being made by the States to reduce the numbers of young
people who were in residential aged care facilities was pursued. FaHCSIA informed
the Committee of the various programs and projects which were operating or planned
so as to assist in providing suitable alternative supported accommodation for
young people. The difficulties faced by aged carers of older people with
disabilities were also discussed in some detail.[31]
1.46
Included in discussions concerning support for people with disabilities
were special disability trusts, disability services packages, the personal
helpers and mentors program, remote area services, respite services, provision
for parking for people with disabilities, and the helping children with autism
package. A range of questions were also asked relating to consultations and negotiations
for the Commonwealth State Territory Disability Agreement (CSTDA).[32]
1.47
Information was also sought in some detail in relation to family
relationship centres and the progress being made in providing services. Privacy
issues and data collection were also discussed.[33]
1.48
The Committee asked some questions on housing matters which covered
homelessness as a result of family dysfunction, young people who were homeless,
the national rental affordability scheme, the Commonwealth-State Housing
Agreement, and public housing. Other matters discussed included disaster
recovery, ex gratia payments, and child support.[34]
1.49
In addition to the above issues a number of administrative and process issues
involving both portfolios were discussed during the estimates hearings and
these are detailed in the Hansard transcripts of evidence.
Senator Claire Moore
Chair
March 2008
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