Chapter 1Overview
Introduction
1.1The Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee (the committee) is responsible for examining the budget expenditure of the departments and agencies within the Social Services and Health and Aged Care portfolios.
Referral of documents
1.2On 25 March 2025, the Senate referred the following documents to legislation committees for examination:
particulars of proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2026;
particulars of certain proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2026;
particulars of proposed expenditure in relation to the parliamentary departments in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2026;
particulars of proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2026 [Supply Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026];
particulars of certain proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2026 [Supply Bill (No. 2) 2025-2026]; 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) 2025-2026].
1.3The Portfolio Budget Statements for 2025–26 were tabled in the Senate on the same day.
Budget Estimates hearings
1.4The Budget was presented as planned on 25 March 2025, and the Senate resolved to vary the schedule of the 2025–26 budget estimates hearings, pursuant to the commitment of the Leader of the Government in the Senate. The Senate determined that the committee’s budget estimates hearings would occur on the following basis:
Friday, 28 March 2025; and
Wednesday, 2 April and Thursday, 3 April 2025.
Prorogation
1.5On 28 March 2025, the Governor-General issued a proclamation that prorogued the 47th Parliament at 8.29am. The prorogation of Parliament has the effect of setting aside the forward program of estimates hearings, including the order requiring committees to hold the budget estimates hearings on 28 March to 4 April 2025. As such, these hearings did not take place.
Questions on notice
1.6Estimates questions on notice under Standing Order 26(14) are regarded as continuing and departments and agencies should answer any such questions not answered at the time of prorogation. Orders of continuing effect affecting committees (such as the allocation of portfolios to committees) remain in effect till varied.
1.7In accordance with Standing Order 26, the committee informed the departments and their agencies of the agreed deadline of Thursday, 29 May 2025 for the receipt of answers to written questions provided on notice.
Note on this report
1.8As estimates hearings did not occur, this report will instead consider key issues received by the committee via written questions on notice.
Acknowledgements
1.9The committee thanks the ministers and officers of the Social Services and Health and Aged Care portfolios for their support of the committee’s 2025–26 budget estimates leading up to the prorogation of the 47th Parliament.