1997

THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

SENATE

HEARING SERVICES ADMINISTRATION BILL 1997

 HEARING SERVICES AND AGHS REFORM BILL 1997

SUPPLEMENTARY EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

Amendments to be moved on behalf of the Government

(Circulated by authority of the Parliamentary Secretary to the
Minister for Health and Family Services, Senator the Hon. Christopher Ellison)

81056 Cat. No. 96 7490 X ISBN 0644 500190

HEARING SERVICES ADMINISTRATION BILL 1997

and

 HEARING SERVICES AND AGHS REFORM BILL 1997

OUTLINE

The Hearing Services and AGHS Reform Bill 1997 currently before the Senate deals with two matters: (1) transitional provisions relating to the proposed corporatisation of the Australian Government Health Service (AGHS); and (2) consequential amendments to the Hearing Services Act 1991 arising from reforms to the Hearing Services Program being introduced by the Hearing Services Administration Bill 1997.

The proposed changes to hearing services legislation is the subject of a recent report by the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee. 

The intention of the Government's amendments is to withdraw from the Hearing Services and AGHS Reform Bill 1997 the proposed change in the age cut-off for younger people eligible for concessions under the Hearing Services program from 21 to 18 years. 
  
The amendments would omit from the Hearing Services and AGHS Reform Bill 1997 those provisions relating to this eligibility change and substitute the term “young Australians” for “Australian children”.   

There is one consequential amendment in the Hearing Services Administration Bill 1997.  

Apart from this matter there are no substantive changes to either Bill. 

FINANCIAL IMPACT

The amendment will place an additional cost of $0.5m annually on the hearing services program. 

HEARING SERVICES ADMINISTRATION BILL 1997

(Amendments to be moved on behalf of the Government)

Amendment to clause 5

The amendment is consequential to that proposed for the Hearing Services and AGHS Reform Bill 1997 which omits the change in eligibility for young Australian to receive concessions under the Hearing Services Program. 

 

HEARING SERVICES AND AGHS REFORM BILL 1997

(Amendments to be moved on behalf of the Government)

Amendment 1 - omits Item 5

Item 5 of Schedule 1 reduces the age limit for younger people to receive hearing services from 21 to 18 years of age.  This amendments omits this item.

Amendment 2 - amends Item 24

This amendment substitutes the term 'young Australians' for 'Australian children' on the basis that this is a more appropriate generic description of those up to the age of 21 years.

Amendment 3 - amends Item 29

This amendment substitutes the term 'young Australians' for 'Australian children' on the basis that this is a more appropriate generic description of those up to the age of 21 years.

Amendment 4 - amends Item 29

This amendment substitutes the term 'young Australians' for 'Australian children' on the basis that this is a more appropriate generic description of those up to the age of 21 years.

Amendment 5 - amends Item 29

This amendment omits the definition of 'Australian children' and is consequential to amendments 2-4 above.

Amendment 6 - amends Item 29

This amendment inserts a definition for the term 'young Australians' appropriate to amendments 2-4 above.