Community Affairs References Committee

Ralph Babet

I advise the chamber that Senators David Pocock and Lambie will be co-sponsoring this motion, and I seek leave to amend business of the Senate motion No. 2 as circulated in the chamber.

Leave granted.

I move the motion as amended:

That the following matters be referred to the Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 31 August 2024:

(a) Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data showing excess deaths in recent years, with particular reference to:

(i) all-cause provisional mortality data reported by the states and territories to the ABS, and

(ii) the difference between all-cause provisional mortality data for 2021, 2022 and 2023 and the preceding years of 2015 to 2020 (inclusive);

(b) factors contributing to excess mortality in 2021, 2022 and 2023; and

(c) recommendations on how to address any identified preventable drivers of excess mortality; and

(d) any other related matter.

Anthony Chisholm

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines

Leave is granted for one minute.

Anthony Chisholm

The government does not support this motion. The ABS is the definitive authority of mortality statistics and data in Australia and provides regular publications including provisional mortality reports, published every second month; deaths in Australia, updated annually; and excess mortality reports, published twice yearly. This data is published online and available to everyone. It is used by researchers, government departments and agencies, like the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, and reported in reputable publications.

In their analysis the ABS has compared the number of deaths which have occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic to the number of deaths expected based on historical trends and adjusted for population changes. This includes deaths from all causes and not only those related to COVID-19.

While death rates and cause of death are key indicators of the health status of a population, it is important to remember that every death that makes up the total statistic is a personal tragedy, and I acknowledge the tragic impact of these deaths on the families and friends of those who lost lives.

Sue Lines

The question is that business of the Senate No. 2 standing in the name of Senators Lambie, Babet and Pocock, as amended, be agreed to.