Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee - Gold Coast, QLD (part 1 of 2)
2 September 2026
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Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee Australian Parliament
16:44 - 19:21
Speaker 7
I open this hearing of the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee's inquiry into the Private Health Insurance Amendment (Modernising the Private Health Insurance Rebate) Bill 2026. I begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet and pay my respects to their elders past and present. I extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples here today. The committee will be conducting today's hearing via teleconference and in person. I am Senator Ellie Whittaker, chair of the committee, and I have with me in the room Senator Delega.
We will shortly be joined by Senator Ruston, and we have Senator Antic appearing by teleconference. These are public proceedings being 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 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 remind committee members and witnesses who are appearing via teleconference who are not speaking to mute their microphones.
I now welcome National Seniors and the Council on the Ageing. Thank you for appearing before the committee today. I understand that information on parliamentary privilege and the protection and obligations of witnesses giving evidence to Senate committees has been provided to you. I believe Senator Steele-John has also just joined us by teleconference. For the Hansard record, I will ask each of you to please state your full name and the capacity in which you appear today, and I'll begin in the room.
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