Chapter 2Key Issues

2.1This chapter provides an overview of some key issues raised during the committee’s 2025–26 Additional Estimates hearings. Page numbers reference the Proof Committee Hansard and are included within the footnotes for ease of reference.

Health, Disability and Ageing portfolio hearing—11 February 2026

2.2The committee called officers from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DHDA) to discuss matters relating to whole of portfolio and corporate matters, including outcomes 1 (Health Policy, Access and Support) and 3 (Ageing and Aged Care). The Secretary, Mr Blair Comley PSM, gave evidence alongside departmental officials.

Whole of Portfolio and Corporate Matters

2.3Topics discussed with DHDA in relation to whole of portfolio and corporate matters included:

the status of questions on notice from the 2025–26 Supplementary Estimates hearings, including requests for information from Senators to be prepared by the department ahead of the 2025–26 Additional Estimates hearing (pp. 9–12).

Outcome 3: Ageing and Aged Care

2.4Topics discussed with DHDA in relation to outcome 3 included:

average wait times for Support at Home (SAH) Packages, including the release of priority SAH packages and eligibility process;

accessibility of respite care in the ACT using SAH packages;

funding arrangements and allocation to release 83 000 Home Care Packages;

providers meeting care minutes targets, and supplements tied to compliance vs non-compliance;

National Redress Scheme payments, including Stolen Generations reparations as an assessable asset within the aged care space;

the review of the implementation of SAH, and evaluation activities regarding the new Aged Care Act;

the integrated assessment tool and eligibility for older Australians for home care since SAH commenced; and

the National Health Reform Agreement, and the number of older Australians experiencing a delayed discharge from hospital due to an inability to access supported aged care facilities (pp. 12–60).

Outcome 1: Health Policy, Access and Support

2.5Topics discussed with DHDA in relation to outcome 1 included:

the National Health Reform Agreement;

the National Immunisation Program Schedule;

funding relating to Aboriginal community-controlled health services;

the department's work on the National Agreement on Closing the Gap targets;

the work of the Women's Health Products Working Group following the pelvic mesh inquiry;

Asherman's syndrome caused by uterine curettes;

the ‘Unleashing the Potential of our Health Workforce’ Scope of Practice Review;

access to proton therapy in Australia;

the recalling of sunscreens due to the potential for harm and adverse events for consumers;

issues with medicinal cannabis regulation and access, including consumer vaping regulations;

regulations surrounding advertisements of certain medicines, including prescription medicines;

flu vaccine data and coverage in Australia, including its purported link to a rise in flu cases in vaccinated populations;

the pertussis vaccine (whooping cough) in children, including media reporting around peaking levels of pertussis; and

the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement and Strategy (pp. 60–105).

Health, Disability and Ageing portfolio agencies

2.6The committee continued its examination of the health, disability and ageing portfolio by calling officers from the following agencies and statutory offices:

the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission;

the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency;

the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority;

the Inspector-General of Aged Care;

the Australian Centre for Disease Control;

the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare; and

the National Health and Medical Research Council.

Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission

2.7Ms Liz Hefren-Webb represented the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission as the Commissioner.

2.8Topics discussed with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission included:

star rating compliance and issues surrounding purported visitor bans (pp. 29–31).

Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency

2.9Mr Justin Untersteiner represented the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency as Chief Executive Officer.

2.10Topics discussed with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency included:

issues concerning the prevalence of antisemitism and islamophobia within the medical system and the rollout of bespoke training programs relating to racism and discrimination more broadly; and

the prioritisation of cultural safety and elimination of racism for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia's health system (pp. 62–66).

Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority

2.11Professor Michael Pervan represented the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority as Chief Executive Officer.

2.12Topics discussed with the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority included:

the stage implementation of price caps, cost-based pricing, and discussions around various costings studies (pp. 41–43).

Inspector-General of Aged Care

2.13Mrs Natalie Siegel-Brown represented the Inspector-General of Aged Care as the Inspector-General.

2.14Topics discussed with the Inspector-General of Aged Care included:

the definitional adequacy and regulation of restrictive practices to protect older Australians, particularly those with dementia (pp. 58–59).

Australian Centre for Disease Control

2.15Mr Paul McCormack represented the Australian Centre for Disease Control as the Acting Director-General.

2.16Topics discussed with the Australian Centre for Disease Control included:

the work of the new Australian Centre for Disease Control and its potential research functions (pp. 94–95).

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

2.17Dr Zoran Bolevich represented the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare as the Chief Executive Officer.

2.18Topics discussed with the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare included:

cancer data and reporting in Australia of its association with vaccination status (p. 97).

Health, Disability and Ageing portfolio hearings—12 February 2026

2.19The committee continued its examination of the health, disability and ageing portfolio to discuss matters relating to outcomes 2 (Individual Health Benefits) and 4 (Disability and Carers). The Secretary, Mr Blair Comley PSM, gave evidence alongside departmental officials.

Outcome 2: Individual Health Benefits

2.20Topics discussed with DHDA in relation to outcome 2 included:

current bulk billing rates, including the expansion of the bulk billing initiative;

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme access to biologics for paediatric patients suffering from Crohn’s Disease;

the breakdown of average out-of-pocket costs for specialist services/attendance, including non-referrals and diagnostics;

the classification of Intravitreal/Intraocular injections, including associated costs for patients;

the Health Technology Assessment Policy and Methods Review; and

Pompe disease (pp. 4–22).

Outcome 4: Disability and Carers, National Disability Insurance Agency and NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission

2.21Mr Graeme Head AO represented the National Disability Insurance Agency as the Chief Executive Officer, and Ms Louise Glanville represented the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission as the Commissioner.

2.22Topics discussed with DHDA, the National Disability Insurance Agency and the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission in relation to outcome 4 included:

fraud and integrity leakage within the NDIS;

cases of unlawful behaviour in the NDIS and cost of fraud investigations;

updates on the roll out of Thriving Kids, including process for eligibility reassessments;

the National Health Reform Agreement;

tools the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission use to prevent misconduct and ensure safety;

banning orders on key personnel, organisations, and support workers in response to bad actors in the market;

the number of people receiving supports on the NDIS; and

updates on the new support needs assessment tool, ‘I-CAN’ (pp. 23–57).

Health, Disability and Ageing portfolio agencies

2.23The committee continued its examination of the health, disability and ageing portfolio by calling officers from the following agencies and statutory offices:

the Professional Services Review.

Professional Services Review

2.24Professor Antonio Di Dio represented the Professional Services Review as the Chief Executive Officer.

2.25Topics discussed with the Professional Services Review included:

the Professional Services Review committee process (pp. 7–11).

Social Services portfolio hearings—12 February 2026

2.26The committee called officers from the Department of Social Services (DSS) to discuss matters relating to Whole of Portfolio and Corporate Matters, including outcomes 1 (Social Security) and 2 (Families and Communities). The Secretary, Mr Michael Lye, gave evidence alongside departmental officials.

Whole of Portfolio and Corporate Matters

2.27Topics discussed with DSS in relation to whole of portfolio and corporate matters included:

the advertisement of the Stop it at the Start Campaign and associated funding;

the escalation of Employee Assistance Program referrals in the department;

DSS’ performance targets and effect of the Capability Review on helping manage financial constraints;

grants processes; and

the separation of redundancy expenses and its itemised breakdown in the Budget (pp. 59–67).

Outcome 1: Social Security

2.28Topics discussed with DSS for outcome 1 included:

findings by the Commonwealth Ombudsman’s Report outlining non-compliance with social security law pertaining to child support;

recommendations outlined in the Commonwealth Ombudsman’s report, ‘Weaponising Child Support: when the system fails families’;

the Australian National Audit Office report relating to the administration of the Age Pension, and findings related to service delivery;

the increase of various income support payment levels compared to pre-pandemic levels;

the delivery of the new Inclusive Employment Australia Program;

the challenges of youth housing, including the work of the department looking into the disparity between Youth Allowance and JobSeeker payments;

the adequacy of Commonwealth Rent Assistance;

the status of the Family Law Inquiry and DSS’ review of the Child Support Scheme;

the number of families receiving the Family Tax Benefit payment;

aged recipients’ access to the Work Bonus Scheme; and

military invalidity payments (pp. 67–81).

Outcome 2: Families and Communities

2.29Topics discussed with DSS for outcome 2 included:

the implementation of the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children;

differences between DSS’ consultation mechanisms compared to the National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People;

synthesising of different policies and programs between the DSS and other external and internal portfolio agencies;

the Healthy Masculinities Trial and Evaluation Program;

innovative perpetrator interventions to stop the cycle of violence; and

Our Ways – Strong Ways – Our Voices: the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander plan to end family, domestic and sexual violence.

Social Services portfolio agencies

2.30The committee continued its examination of the social Services portfolio by calling officers from the following agencies and statutory offices:

the Australian Institute of Family Studies;

the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission; and

the National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People.

Australian Institute of Family Studies

2.31Ms Catherine Andersson represented the Australian Institute of Family Studies as the Acting Director.

2.32Topics discussed with the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) included:

clarity on prior reporting concerning challenging misconceptions around sexual offending; and

corporate data relating to AIFS’ operation; and

AIFS’ Data linkage functions with the e-Safety Commissioner (pp. 84–92).

Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission

2.33Ms Micaela Cronin represented the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission as the Commissioner.

2.34Topics discussed with the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission included:

the ongoing work of the commission, its oversight functions, powers, and authority to request and compel data from agencies;

the work of the commission, e-Safety Commissioner and Australian Federal Police in addressing cases of technology-assisted abuse, including AI-facilitated rape and torturing targeting women;

the implementation of an ongoing taskforce for children and young people experiencing family violence; and

the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan, and general coordination with the different actions plans (pp. 81–87).

National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People

2.35Ms Sue-Ann Hunter represented the National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People as the Commissioner.

2.36Topics discussed with the National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People included:

the role and broader work of the commission, and the difference between its state counterparts (pp. 87–91).

Senator Dorinda Cox

Chair