Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee [Part 2], , 1:19:29 to 1:23:24
The department explains the ongoing review process for FOI requests and addresses the availability of specific data regarding hospital demand projections for future years.
Topics: Health, Freedom of information
Speakers: Blair Comley, Senator Anne Ruston, Senator Ellie Whiteaker, Ross Hawkins, Unknown Speaker
Well, Sarah, I don't think that's what they've said. What they've said is that the specific kind of [clears throat] modeling you've requested, we haven't done, but I think that what Mr. McBride was saying is we have got a comparable episodes or in the past of price changes and and what that did for take up, which again, if if we were to formally model that element, that is the sort of information we'd use to feed into that
>> you would have I don't think that
characterization is is fair or correct.
>> You would or you have.
>> So we've already given the evidence that we haven't formally modeled in that way. We've done analysis based on what we've seen happen in the past. We're gonna >> and I'm also I just I think [clears throat] there's something worth saying about um documents released under FOI where we have you know emails between team members which we don't discourage them exploring ideas and thinking about what issues are that that is quite a different document from a considered minute provided to a minister or a paper that's been prepared and go through the QA processes we have. So you in this modern era, people have the equivalent of conversations through um through emails or and often an exploratory way. So I don't think any of that's inconsistent with the fact we're taking this policy very seriously and and doing the analysis. I would also note that of course that um to the extent there is an impact on hospitals and the impact analysis talked about the number of days you were talking about in 2829 um part of that cost would be borne by the commonwealth as well as states and territories if it were to occur in those hospital diversions
>> or the taxpayer ends up bearing issues. >> So I've got I was going to say I've just got two quick questions and then I can leave this unless you would prefer me to come back to it.
>> Let's finish this if we can.
>> Okay. So um could you please provide us the data of the downgrades that you would estimate on the basis of your other information you're saying not specifically about this but behavior that you've seen previously in terms of price changes
>> we take that
>> you can um give us that um could you provide us with the number of hospital days in the out years because as I said all we know is it's 153,241 hospital days in 2829. Can you provide us those in the out years and what that cost is?
>> Well, Senator, two things. I said I'd take it on notice earlier, but as I've also stated earlier that this FOI is being re-reed because of the original uh applicant has asked for a a kind of second review. So, this document is already going through a second stage review about whether or not further information either falls into the capture of it or information in here could be released.
>> Yeah. Well, I suppose my would contend you seem to have provided some of the information. I just don't understand why a piece of information that's available for 28 29 is not available for 2930. I mean, it's the same piece of information. It's just a different year.
>> I think Senator
>> to take it on notice. So, let's see if they can get what you're looking for.
>> Okay. Um,
>> is there anything final before you wrap up?
>> Um, yeah. So, I suppose I just wondering whether you're claiming a public interest immunity against um over this information tonight.
>> I didn't think I made any claim.
>> No, no, no. I'm just asking you, are you? I didn't say you'd made that claim. >> Okay. So, these are Senate estimates. Um and the Senate is asking for this information. So, I'm just wondering on what basis are you saying you won't give it to me?
>> Senator Austin, I don't believe that Mr. Hawkins or anyone at the table has said that they're not going to give you the information. They've said they'll take it on notice. they don't have it available to them at the table. I I I think that's >> an entirely reasonable perhaps tomorrow morning. Thank you. >> Okay. Uh thank you. I will pass the call to Senator Stewart.