Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee

Senate Estimates hearing,

Searchable transcript of the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee, 12 Feb 2026 Senate Estimates hearing, with chapters: Medicare Bulk Billing Targets and Projections, Professional Services Review and Peer Review Integrity, PBS Access and Specialist Out-of-Pocket Costs, Private Health…

Chapters

  1. Medicare Bulk Billing Targets and Projections (0:00)

    The committee examines the government's 90% bulk billing target for 2030 and the modeling used to project practice incentive impacts.

  2. Professional Services Review and Peer Review Integrity (21:05)

    Senators question the Professional Services Review (PSR) regarding its report drafting processes, legal staffing, and procedural fairness for medical practitioners.

  3. PBS Access and Specialist Out-of-Pocket Costs (38:26)

    The department discusses PBS listings for pediatric Crohn's disease and strategies to address rising out-of-pocket costs for specialist medical services.

  4. Private Health Insurance and MBS Reclassification (1:08:41)

    Officials provide updates on the private health insurance premium round and the reclassification of intraocular therapeutic injections under the MBS.

  5. HTA Reform and Newborn Screening Commitments (1:25:48)

    The committee debates the implementation speed of Health Technology Assessment (HTA) reforms and election promises regarding Pompe disease screening.

  6. NDIS Fraud Detection and Integrity Leakage (1:53:04)

    The NDIA details efforts to combat fraud and 'integrity leakage' through the Fraud Fusion Taskforce and improved digital identity systems.

  7. Intergovernmental NDIS Funding and Risk Sharing (2:36:27)

    Discussion focuses on the National Cabinet agreement regarding NDIS escalation rates and the risk-sharing arrangements between the Commonwealth and states.

  8. NDIS Provider Oversight and Market Regulation (4:01:22)

    Senators raise concerns about provider insolvency, tax compliance, and the vetting processes for registered and unregistered NDIS service providers.

  9. Thriving Kids Program and Foundational Supports (4:36:04)

    The department explains the 'Thriving Kids' program, focusing on foundational supports for children and intergovernmental service delivery models.

  10. NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission Enforcement (5:02:09)

    The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission discusses banning orders, provider compliance with the code of conduct, and complaints management.

  11. NDIS Plan Reassessments and Participant Eligibility (5:34:58)

    Officials clarify the triggers for unscheduled plan reassessments and the qualifications of staff making clinical and budgetary decisions for participants.

  12. Social Services Corporate and Advertising Campaigns (6:43:52)

    The department provides expenditure data for major advertising campaigns, including 'Stop it at the Start' and 'Consent Can't Wait'.

  13. Social Security, Age Pension, and Child Support (7:29:51)

    Examination of age pension payment accuracy, the Ombudsman's report on child support, and the transition to the Inclusive Employment Australia program.

  14. Family Safety and National Plan Implementation (8:54:03)

    The Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner discusses oversight of the National Plan and efforts to address technology-facilitated abuse.