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

I've been reflecting on the last series of interchanges between senators last night in the debate on this legislation, and I fully understand the need for robust policy debate under parliamentary privilege and the role that it plays in our democracy. But I, more than most, now have a very clear understanding of the personal toll this abuse takes when parliamentary privilege is abused for personal attacks.

I also had cause to reflect on the comments that were directed at Senator Steele-John last night. What we very rarely reflect on in this chamber is that just because we can say something doesn't mean we should. It certainly doesn't mean that it is compassionate or that it is, indeed, humane at all. Last night, I think, was one such opportunity to reflect on our shared humanity and our shared compassion. In this place, we are now reflecting on the appropriate standards that we all should adopt, and that has to include what we do and say to each other in this chamber.

It's also important for us to remember the impact that our words have, as much as we can say them under parliamentary privilege. Clearly, last night, the words that were used in the debate were deeply wounding to Senator Steele-John, who was clearly very distressed. It wasn't just Senator Steele-John, because this is not just another bill that we pass in this place. This is a bill that will impact the lives of 660,000 NDIS participants, including some of our most severely and permanently disabled, who over the last 10 years have had their lives changed by getting the supports they need and getting out of the most disgusting conditions in group homes. They are worried, they are deeply concerned and they are watching these proceedings in record numbers. So even though we can say them, sometimes we have to stop and reflect on the impact that these words will have in the circumstances, as they did on Senator Steele-John last night. And this morning many people have contacted me to express dismay at the fact that they have not been listened to and that the tenor of the debate in this chamber is causing them genuine concern, genuine fear and genuine terror about their future.

So while the minister did technically withdraw his comment, it was done not as an apology. It was done as, 'Well, if it assists the chamber.' That was not an apology. It was technically correct, but it wasn't a humane response to Senator Steele-John's distress that was reflecting the distress of so many other Australians. If there was ever a time in this debate to think about how we go forward and how the government communicates these significant changes to a community that is in uproar, but ultimately who is afraid, then the time is now. This is something that I think is beholden on all of us in this chamber.

Minister, I have been asking questions in estimates. I have been looking through the quarterly reports, through the annual financial sustainability report. We've had OPDs and questions on notice. We have had smart-arsed responses in all of these areas; the minister is finding new and smart ways to not provide this information and this transparency. But, Minister, we don't ask for this information for ourselves. We understand how important the actuarial data is to be able to explain to people who are watching, who are terrified, what is going to occur with this bill. Whose packages will be impacted? How they will be impacted? They are not stupid.

There are over 50,000 people who are waiting for planned variations at the moment. They are all terrified. Will this legislation and the cuts that it will implement mean that they won't be able to get any more services because they've had intra-plan inflation through their own fault, the cost-of-living increase or abuse by somebody else. There are tens of thousands of people who are waiting to get into the scheme, who have been waiting and waiting and waiting due to technical IT reasons. We all know what's going on, but, ultimately, it is those people who are on the waiting list that deserve our compassion. Those people deserve transparency and they deserve for this government to stop the games, stop the Redbridge rhetoric, and actually provide information to this place on this bill and in this debate so that we can provide that information to those who this bill will impact.

It is good that the states and territories have come on board in relation to the categories, but they are not on board with foundational supports. They are not on board with all of the other assessments and the processes that will impact them. Given we're about to move out of this debate at 12.15, I would implore you, Minister, to ask Minister Shorten to provide this information that this place and these senators have asked for. To not play any political games, but to provide this data and this information so that those who are so terrified by this bill can be reassured, or at least understand what is going to happen to their lives.

What you heard from Senator Steele-John last night is the weight of the disability sector on his shoulders. It is an unfair burden for any government to place on a single senator. Just out of human decency, when we get back to this legislation, please bring the answers to the questions I am asking on behalf of the sector.