Senate Community Affairs References Committee
1 April 2026
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Senate Community Affairs References Committee Australian Parliament
11:18 - 13:39
Speaker 48
I declare open this hearing of the Senate Community Affairs References Committee's inquiry into the support at home program. I begin by acknowledging the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people on whose lands we meet today and pay my respects to their elders past and present, and I extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples here today. The committee will be conducting today's hearing via video conference and in person. I'm senator Orman Payne, and in the room, I have with me senators Ananda Raja, Cox, Rustin, and I believe will be joined by senators Askew and Pocock. These are public proceedings being video streamed live via the parliament's website, and a Hansard transcript is being made.
I remind all witnesses that in giving evidence to the committee, they are protected by parliamentary privilege. It is unlawful for anyone to threaten or disadvantage a witness on account of evidence given to a committee, and such action may be treated by the senate as a contempt. It is also a contempt to give false or misleading evidence. Witnesses also have a right to request to be heard in camera. If a witness objects to answering a question, they should state the ground upon which the objection is made, and the committee will determine whether it will insist on an answer having regard to the ground which is claimed.
If the committee determines to insist on an answer, a witness may request that the answers be given in camera. I remind senators of their obligations under the behavior code for Australian parliamentarians treat witnesses with dignity, courtesy, fairness, and respect. I now welcome representatives, of the Department of Health, Disability, and Aging. Thank you for appearing before the committee today, and we appreciate your flexibility, in bringing the time forward as well. That's very much appreciated.
The senate has resolved that an officer of a department of the Commonwealth or of a state shall not be asked to give opinions on matters of policy and shall be given reasonable opportunity to refer questions asked to the... Of the officer to superior officers or to a minister. This resolution does not preclude questions asking for explanations of policies or factual questions about when and how policies were adopted. Commonwealth officers appearing today are also reminded of specifying the process by which a claim of public interest immunity should be raised. A copy of the order is available from the secretariat.
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