Chapter 1


Chapter 1

Introduction

1.1        On 12 May 2015, the Senate referred the following documents to the committee for examination and report:

  • particulars of proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2016;
  • particulars of certain proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2016;
  • particulars of proposed expenditure in relation to the parliamentary departments in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2016;
  • particulars of proposed additional expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2015; and
  • particulars of certain proposed additional expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2015.

1.2        The committee is responsible for the examination of the following portfolios:

  • Health;
  • Social Services; and
  • Human Services.

Details of hearings

1.3        The hearings were conducted as follows:

  • 10 February 2016 — Health portfolio;
  • 11 February 2016 — Social Services portfolio (including Human Services);
  • 3 March 2016  — Health portfolio additional hearing; and
  • 16 March 2016 — Health portfolio additional hearing.

1.4        The committee heard evidence from the following Senators:

  • Senator the Hon. Fiona Nash, Assistant Minister for Health (and representing the Minister for Health);
  • Senator the Hon. Marise Payne, Minister for Defence (and representing the Minister for Human Services);
  • Senator the Hon. Mitch Fifield, Assistant Minister for Social Services (representing the Minister for Social Services); and
  • Senator the Hon. Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Services (representing the Minister for Social Services).

1.5        Evidence was also provided by the following:

  • Mr Martin Bowles PSM, Secretary of the Department of Health;
  • Ms Kathryn Campbell, Secretary of the Department of Human Services;
  • Mr Finn Pratt, Secretary of the Department of Social Services; and
  • officers representing the departments and agencies covered by the estimates before the committee.

Questions on notice

1.6        In accordance with Standing Order 26(9)(a), the committee agreed that the date for the return of answers in response to questions placed on notice at the 10 and 11 February hearings would be 4 April, for 3 March would be 14 April and for 16 march would be 27 April 2016.

1.7        Answers to questions on notice and tabled documents may be accessed via the committee's website: http://www.aph.gov.au/senate_ca.

Hansard transcripts

1.8        Hansard transcripts of the estimates proceedings are accessible on the committee’s website.

1.9        An index of topics covered by Hansard page number is available at Appendix 2.

1.10      References to the Hansard transcript are to the proof Hansard; page numbers may vary between the proof and the official Hansard transcript.

Changes in the PAES

Health Portfolio

1.11      In the Administrative Arrangement Orders of 21 September 2015 and 30 September 2015, the government announced the following changes to portfolio responsibilities:

  • Ageing and aged care functions were transferred from the Department of Social Services to the Department of Health.
  • The statutory officer of the Aged Care Commissioner and the Aged Care Pricing Commissioner were transferred to the Department of Health.
  • The Medicare Provider Compliance for the Medicare Benefits Schedule and Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule and allied health services were transferred to the Department of Health from the Department of Human Services.[1]
  • Child care policy and programs and coordination of early childhood development policy to the Department of Education and Training.[2]   

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