Question Time AU

Bill Debate · In Committee

Health Legislation Amendment (Improving Choice and Transparency for Private Health Consumers) Bill 2026; In Committee

Senate · Tuesday 15 September 2026

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

The Senate considered the bill in committee, focusing on amendments to the Medical Costs Finder provisions. The government moved amendments to establish a statutory review process for published information and clarify powers to correct or remove data, which were adopted. The coalition supported these government amendments but moved several of their own to require cost-recovery caps on fees, annual reporting on cost trends, publication of calculation methodologies, and restrictions on the scope of published information. The government accepted amendments regarding fee caps, annual reports, and methodology transparency but rejected proposals to limit liability, restrict oversight to hospital cover only, mandate immediate removal of disputed data, require statutory consultation, or narrow the data to financial costs only.

Outcome

The bill was agreed to as amended, reported with amendments, and the report was adopted.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Jenny McAllister (NSW) (Australian Labor Party) ALP

McAllister moved government amendments to strengthen the bill's schedule regarding the Medical Costs Finder. McAllister argued these changes addressed stakeholder concerns by making publication powers explicit and ensuring accountability through a ministerial duty that could not be passed on to set up a statutory review process. McAllister stated the amendments allowed for the correction, updating, or removal of information to keep it current and supported fair publication by allowing disclosure to individuals about how their data was calculated. McAllister also noted that technical amendments ensured correct sequencing of delegation powers and affirmed that patient privacy remained protected.

Government response

Jenny McAllister (Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) ALP NSW

McAllister supported the coalition's amendments regarding cost-recovery caps on fees, annual reporting, and the publication of calculation methodologies, stating the government already intended to publish methodology and refresh data regularly. McAllister opposed amendments seeking to remove civil liability protections, arguing the existing provisions were limited and did not displace Commonwealth responsibility. McAllister rejected proposals to restrict oversight to hospital cover only, citing the need for consistent scrutiny across all private health insurance products to prevent margin shifting. McAllister also opposed amendments requiring immediate removal of disputed information or statutory consultation mandates, stating that government amendments already addressed review processes and that prescribing consultation in primary legislation reduced flexibility.

Opposition response

Anne Ruston (Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) Liberal SA

Ruston supported the government's amendments but criticised the lack of prior consultation on the original bill. Ruston moved amendments to cap fees for ministerial approval at cost recovery, require annual reports on cost trends and geographical variations, and publish the formulas used to calculate published expenses. Ruston also proposed amendments to remove civil liability protections for the department, restrict premium approval oversight to hospital cover, and mandate the removal of information while complaints are reviewed. Ruston argued these changes would ensure transparency, prevent bureaucracy, and protect consumers from misleading or inaccurate data.