Senate debates

Wednesday, 3 December 2014

Committees

Community Affairs References Committee; Reference

3:34 pm

Photo of Linda ReynoldsLinda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

I move:

That the following matter be referred to the Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 30 June 2015:

The adequacy of existing residential care arrangements available for young people with severe physical, mental or intellectual disabilities in Australia, with reference to:

(a) the estimated number and distribution of young people in care in the aged care system in Australia, and the number of young people who require care but are not currently receiving care;

(b) short and long term trends in relation to the number of young people being cared for within the aged care system;

(c) the health and support pathways available to young people with complex needs;

(d) the appropriateness of the aged care system for care of young people with serious and/or permanent mental or physical disabilities;

(e) alternative systems of care available in federal, state and territory jurisdictions for young people with serious and/or permanent mental, physical or intellectual disabilities;

(f) the options, consequences and considerations of the de institutionalisation of young people with serious and/or permanent mental, physical or intellectual disabilities;

(g) what Australian jurisdictions are currently doing for young people with serious and/or permanent mental, physical or intellectual disabilities, and what they intend to do differently in the future;

(h) the impact of the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme on the ability of young people in aged care facilities to find more appropriate accommodation;

(i) state and territory activity in regard to the effectiveness of the Council of Australian Governments’ Younger People in Residential Aged Care initiatives in improving outcomes for young people with serious and/or permanent mental, physical or intellectual disabilities, since the Commonwealth’s contribution to this program has been rolled into the National Disability Agreement and subsequent developments in each jurisdiction; and

(j) any related matters.

Question agreed to.

3:35 pm

Photo of Nick XenophonNick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | | Hansard source

I move:

That the following matter be referred to the Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 26 March 2015:

The availability of new, innovative and specialist cancer drugs in Australia, with particular reference to:

(a) the timing and affordability of access for patients;

(b) the operation of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme in relation to such drugs, including the impact of delays in the approvals process for Australian patients;

(c) the impact on the quality of care available to cancer patients; and

(d) any related matters.

Question agreed to.