Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Trade) Share this | Hansard source

I have two responses. One is that I've just had some response from the agency. It is their intention to align their approach to this with incontinence products. This is why a list is provided. It's not anticipated that the list that is provided will get it all right. It is an effort to engage with the community, and then we get feedback. When we've got it wrong, we pay attention to the feedback and make changes. In relation to this issue, feedback from the community has been very helpful. Those products have never been on the list, but we've heard the community in this case and we'll respond, as part of the consultation, to pick up on the issues that you have highlighted here and that have already been highlighted by the consultation process that the government, department and agency have undertaken in relation to the list.

I think the second proposition in your question goes to the dignity of individuals who are going through the needs assessment process, so the act comes into play. We have a 12- to 18-month process of designing that needs assessment tool and framework. As you've indicated, those co-design principles mean that questions like this will have to be deliberated upon carefully. Yes, participants will need to engage with a needs assessor about their requirements, but, in terms of those questions of the dignity of participants in the process, they are absolutely capable of a co-design process that improves that process and the experience of participants as they engage with the needs assessment tool for the future.