Derryn Hinch (Victoria, Derryn Hinch's Justice Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to Senator Payne, the Minister representing the Minister for Human Services. Your government has approved and continues to approve the use of transvaginal mesh devices in Australian women when this device has permanently disabled women, in the worst medical scandal in this country since thalidomide. I have met women in wheelchairs and on crutches. Our Senate inquiry has revealed that Centrelink has refused these women, these innocent victims, disability pensions. Will the government instruct DHS to recognise mesh related injuries as a disability for the purpose of receiving a disability pension?

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Hinch for that question. I don't have a detailed brief on the details of the report, although I am aware of the Senate inquiry that is underway and some of the confronting evidence that the committee has been presented with. If I may take the rest of your question on notice, Senator Hinch, to provide you with reasonable detail in response, I think that would be the most appropriate way.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hinch, a supplementary question?

Derryn Hinch (Victoria, Derryn Hinch's Justice Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What level of qualification do your DSP assessors need to have to determine someone's eligibility for a disability pension in this case? Are they psychologists, doctors or social workers or are they unqualified novices, because one of the victims has told our office that they were 'like' a psychologist?

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will search back into previous Human Services experience in relation to assessments for the disability support payments. Prior to 2015 the government made a number of changes to assessment processes, which included independent medical panels selected by government as opposed to an individual's general practitioner or other medical professional. That is one aspect of it. But I'm very happy to provide further details of that on notice as well.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hinch, a final supplementary question?

Derryn Hinch (Victoria, Derryn Hinch's Justice Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As part of my campaign to end pointless supplementary questions during question time, especially dorothy dixers from tame backbenchers, I will forfeit this question.