National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026

Senator ROBERTS (Queensland) (19:27): Minister, government amendment IC116 revised has just been received by our office—it's been presented just this evening—wanting to insert into the bill part 7, titled 'Immunity from producing documents or information': (1) A person is not required to produce a document, or disclose any information, matter or thing, to a court, tribunal, authority or other person or entity having the power to make such a requirement, if: (a) the person is, or has been, a person mentioned in subsection (2)— which I'll get to in a minute; it's all encompassing— (b) the document, information, matter or thing has come to the knowledge, or into the possession, or to the notice, of the person because of: (i) the performance or exercise of the person's duties, functions … The following positions are listed: (a) the CEO; (b) a Board member; (c) the Commissioner; (d) a member of the Advisory Council; (e) the scheme actuary; (f) the reviewing actuary; (g) an Agency officer; (h) a Commission officer; (i) a consultant engaged under section 171 or 181V; (j) a person performing services: (i) for the Agency under a contract with the Agency; or (ii) for the Commission under a contract with the Commission.

If someone does something wrong while in one of these positions, or having been in one of these positions, apparently they do not have to disclose documents or information. How can that lead to accountability? I thought this was all about care.

We're concerned about the care given to disabled people, we're concerned about the taxpayer on the hook and we're concerned about Public Service accountability. The way we read it, it means Senate estimates cannot seek information or documents from these people. The first question is: isn't fraud on your radar?

The second question is: was this part of your deal with the LNP?