QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator McALLISTER (New South Wales—Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) (14:56): It's not possible for me to speak in any detail about the circumstances put to me by Senator Liddle, and I appreciate her interest in these issues and bringing them to the chamber. But I do want to speak a little about the approach that we are taking to assessment, because the old assessment approach was not working.

The system overseen by those on the other side was not working. It was taking too long. Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: I have asked, since the very first question, for those on my left to listen in silence.

You're showing me great disrespect and you're completely ignoring me as the President of this chamber. If you can't listen in silence, leave the chamber. Senator McALLISTER: The old assessment system was not working.

It took too long, it was inaccurate— Senator Colbeck: This one's worse. Senator McALLISTER: and it was producing very unfair outcomes to older people all across the country. Senator Scarr: So's this one, Jenny.

The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator McALLISTER: That is why— The PRESIDENT: Minister, please resume your seat. My goodness!

Senator Scarr, I don't know what possessed you then to interject loudly—and you, Senator Colbeck—after I just explained how disrespectful you were to me. Leave the chamber! I shouldn't have to name senators on my left, but I will.

Senator McALLISTER: To be clear about the problem, the old system resulted in older people with the same needs receiving very different outcomes depending on where they lived and who did their assessment. It led to very high volumes of high-priority ratings, with some organisations approving more than 50— (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Liddle, second supplementary?