Name: Senate Community Affairs References Committee
Uploaded: 2026-06-24T08:20:00+00:00

11:12 - 13:26

Speaker 14

Are open this hearing of the senate community affairs references committee's inquiry into the supported home program. I begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet and pay my respects to their elders past and present. And I extend that respect to aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples here today. I'm senator Orman Payne, and I have with me senators Rustin, Tyrrell, and Anand Raja. And we may be joined by senators Askew and Antik.

These are public proceedings being video streamed live via the parliament's website, and a hand san transcript is being made. I remind our witness that in giving evidence to the committee, they're protected by parliamentary privilege. It's 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, and witnesses 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 answer be given in camera. I remind senators of their obligations under the behavior code for Australian parliamentarians to treat witnesses with dignity, courtesy, fairness, and respect. I now welcome the inspector general of aged care. Thank you for appearing before the committee today. 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 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. You are reminded of the senate order specifying the process by which a claim of public interest immunity should be raised, and a copy of the order is available from the secretariat. For the Hansard record, could you please state your full name and the capacity in which you appear?

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