Chapter 1 - Introduction

[1]        The Hon Christian Porter MP, Minister for Social Services, House of Representatives Hansard, 8 February 2017, p. 213.

[2]        Family Tax Benefit (FTB) is an income tested two part payment made to families to assist with the cost of raising children. Part A is a per child payment which is made to eligible families, while Part B payments provide added assistance to single parents and families with one main income. See Department of Social Services, 'Family Assistance Guide', http://guides.dss.gov.au/family-assistance-guide/1/2/1 (accessed 17 March 2017).

[3]        Social Services Legislation Amendment (Omnibus Savings and Child Care Reform) Bill 2017, Explanatory Memorandum (EM), pp. 10, 14, and 17.

[4]        Journals of the Senate, No. 134-3, 3 December 2015, p. 3623.

[5]        The Hon Christian Porter MP, Minister for Social Services, House of Representatives Hansard, 1 September 2016, p. 275.

[6]        Journals of the Senate, No. 7, 15 September 2016, p. 211.

[7]        See: Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee, Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Jobs for Families Child Care Package) Bill 2016 [Provisions], Social Services Legislation Amendment (Family Payments Structural Reform and Participation Measures) Bill 2016 [Provisions], 10 October 2016, pp. 63-64.

[8]        Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee, Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Jobs for Families Child Care Package) Bill 2016 [Provisions], Social Services Legislation Amendment (Family Payments Structural Reform and Participation Measures) Bill 2016 [Provisions], 10 October 2016, p. 29.

[9]        Social Services Legislation Amendment (Omnibus Savings and Child Care Reform) Bill 2017, EM, p. 21.

[10]      Journals of the Senate, No. 16, 3 December 2015, p. 3623.

[11]      Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee, Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Jobs for Families Child Care Package) Bill 2015 [Provisions], 4 April 2016, p. 24.

[12]      Journals of the Senate, No. 7, 3 December 2015, p. 211.

[13]      Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee, Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Jobs for Families Child Care Package) Bill 2016 [Provisions], Social Services Legislation Amendment (Family Payments Structural Reform and Participation Measures) Bill 2016 [Provisions], 10 October 2016, p. 29.

[14]      Journals of the Senate, No. 15, 10 November 2016, p. 448.

[15]      Journals of the Senate, No. 26, 9 February 2017, p. 881.

[16]      Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee, Fairer Paid Parental Leave Bill 2016 [Provisions], 15 February 2017, p. 2.

[17]      Social Services Legislation Amendment (Omnibus Savings and Child Care Reform) Bill 2017, EM, p. 100.

[18]      Social Services Legislation Amendment (Omnibus Savings and Child Care Reform) Bill 2017, EM, p. 131.

[19]      Social Services Legislation Amendment (Omnibus Savings and Child Care Reform) Bill 2017, EM, p. 102.

[20]      Social Services Legislation Amendment (Omnibus Savings and Child Care Reform) Bill 2017, EM, p. 107.

[21]      Social Services Legislation Amendment (Omnibus Savings and Child Care Reform) Bill 2017, EM, p. 111.

[22]      Social Services Legislation Amendment (Omnibus Savings and Child Care Reform) Bill 2017, EM, p. 113.

[23]      Social Services Legislation Amendment (Omnibus Savings and Child Care Reform) Bill 2017, EM, p. 143.

[24]      Social Services Legislation Amendment (Omnibus Savings and Child Care Reform) Bill 2017, EM, p. 150.

[25]      Social Services Legislation Amendment (Omnibus Savings and Child Care Reform) Bill 2017, EM, p. 157.

[26]      Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, Human rights scrutiny report: Report 1 of 2017, 16 February 2017, p. 53.

[27]      Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills, Scrutiny Digest No. 2 of 2017, 15 February 2017, pp. 28, 31, 35.

[28]      Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills, Scrutiny Digest No. 2 of 2017, 15 February 2017, pp 29, 33, 36.

[29]      Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills, Scrutiny Digest No. 2 of 2017, 15 February 2017, p. 31.

[30]      Journals of the Senate, No. 26, 9 February 2017, p. 881.

[31]      Journals of the Senate, No. 31, 20 March 2017, p. 1053.

[32]      See: Community Affairs Legislation Committee, https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/OmnibusSavingsReform (accessed 15 March 2017).

Chapter 2 - Key issues

[1]        The Hon Christian Porter MP, Minister for Social Services, House of Representatives Hansard, 8 February 2017, p. 8.

[2]        The Hon Christian Porter MP, Minister for Social Services, House of Representatives Hansard, 8 February 2017, p. 8.

[3]        The Hon Christian Porter MP, Minister for Social Services, House of Representatives Hansard, 8 February 2017, p. 8.

[4]        Social Services Legislation Amendment (Omnibus Savings and Child Care Reform) Bill 2017, Explanatory Memorandum (EM), p. 17.

[5]        The Hon Christian Porter MP, Minister for Social Services, House of Representatives Hansard, 8 February 2017, p. 8.

[6]        Social Services Legislation Amendment (Omnibus Savings and Child Care Reform) Bill 2017, EM, p. 14.

[7]        National Social Security Rights Network, Submission 9; Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), Submission 11; Shop Distributive and Allied Employees' Association (SDA), Submission 47; Queensland Family and Child Commission, Submission 25; Barnardos Australia, Submission 32.

[8]        ACTU, Submission 11, p. 5.

[9]        ACTU, Submission 11, p. 5.

[10]      National Council of Single Mothers and their Children, Submission 16, p. 4.

[11]      Ms Cath Halbert, Group Manager, Payments Policy Group, Department of Social Service, Committee Hansard, 18 February 2016, p. 42.

[12]      Ms Cath Halbert, Group Manager, Payments Policy Group, Department of Social Service, Committee Hansard, 9 March 2017, p. 64.

[13]      The Hon Christian Porter MP, Minister for Social Services, House of Representatives Hansard, 8 February 2017, p. 9.

[14]      National Council of Single Mothers and Their Children, Submission 16, p. 5.

[15]      The Hon Christian Porter MP, Minister for Social Services, House of Representatives Hansard, 8 February 2017, p. 8.

[16]      Mr Matthew Butt, Executive Officer, National Social Security Rights Network, Committee Hansard, 9 March 2017, p. 4.

[17]      Ms Charmaine Crowe, Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer, ACOSS, answer to questions on notice, 9 March 2017 (received 15 March 2017).

[18]      The Hon Christian Porter MP, Minister for Social Services, House of Representatives Hansard, 8 February 2017, p. 7.

[19]      The Hon Christian Porter MP, Minister for Social Services, House of Representatives Hansard, 8 February 2017, p. 7.

[20]      See, for example: Mr Bernie Nott, Co-chair, Early Learning and Care Council of Australia, Committee Hansard, 9 March 2017, p. 16; Joint submission from 23 early childhood organisations, Submission 14, p. 1; Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC), Submission 12, p. 3; Community Child Care Association, Submission 29, p. 1.

[21]      The Hon Christian Porter MP, Minister for Social Services, House of Representatives Hansard, 8 February 2017, p. 7.

[22]      The Hon Christian Porter MP, Minister for Social Services, House of Representatives Hansard, 8 February 2017, p. 7.

[23]      The Hon Christian Porter MP, Minister for Social Services, House of Representatives Hansard, 8 February 2017, p. 7.

[24]      Department of Education and Training, Job for Families Child Care Package Overview, https://docs.education.gov.au/node/38911 (accessed 18 March 2017).

[25]      The Hon Christian Porter MP, Minister for Social Services, House of Representatives Hansard, 8 February 2017, p. 7.

[26]      Social Services Legislation Amendment (Omnibus Savings and Child Care Reform) Bill 2017, EM, p. 21.

[27]      Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority, Submission 6; Joint submission from 23 early childhood organisations; Submission 14; Australian Childcare Alliance, Submission 34; Brotherhood of St Laurence, Submission 46, SDA, Submission 47.

[28]      Mr Bernie Nott, Co-Chair, Early Learning and Care Council of Australia, Committee Hansard, 9 March 2017, p. 15.

[29]      Department of Social Services, Family Assistance Guide, 6 February 2017 http://guides.dss.gov.au/family-assistance-guide/2/6/1 (accessed 17 March 2017).

[30]      Department of Education and Training, Job for Families Child Care Package Overview, https://docs.education.gov.au/node/38911 (accessed 18 March 2017).

[31]      Social Services Legislation Amendment (Omnibus Savings and Child Care Reform) Bill 2017, EM, p. 52.

[32]      Mr Paul Mondo, President, Australian Childcare Alliance, Committee Hansard, 9 March 2017, p. 18.

[33]      Mr Bernie Nott, Co-Chair, Early Learning and Care Council of Australia, Committee Hansard, 9 March 2017, pp. 15-16; Ms Samantha Page, Chief Executive Officer, Early Childhood Australia, Committee Hansard, 9 March 2017, p. 19.

[34]      Mr Paul Mondo, President, Australian Childcare Alliance and Ms Samantha Page, Chief Executive Officer, Early Childhood Australia, Committee Hansard, 9 March 2017, pp. 18-19.

[35]      Mr Bernie Nott, Co-Chair, Early Learning and Care Council of Australia, Committee Hansard, 9 March 2017, p. 15.

[36]      Joint submission from 23 early childhood organisations, Submission 14, p. 1.

[37]      Department of Social Services, Department of Education and Training and the Department of Employment, Submission 7, p. 4.

[38]      Department of Education and Training, Budget Based Funding Program, https://docs.education.gov.au/node/35887 (accessed 19 March 2017).

[39]      Department of Education and Training, Budget Based Funded Program Review Final Report, May 2014, https://docs.education.gov.au/node/35887 (accessed 19 March 2017).

[40]      Department of Social Services, Department of Education and Training and the Department of Employment, Submission 7, p. 4.

[41]      Ms Geraldine Atkinson, Member, Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC), Committee Hansard, 9 March 2017, p. 32; National Association of Mobile Services for Rural and Remote Families and Children (NAMS), Submission 10, p. 5.

[42]      Mrs Anne Bowler, Chairperson, NAMS and Ms Robyn Patterson, Vice-Chairperson, NAMS, Committee Hansard, 9 March 2017, pp. 36-37.

[43]      NAMS, Submission 10, p. 5.

[44]      Ms Jackie Wilson, Deputy Secretary, Early Childhood and Child Care, Department of Education and Training, answers to questions on notice, 9 March 2017 (received 16 March 2017).

[45]      Department of Social Services, Department of Education and Training and the Department of Employment, Submission 7, p. 5.

[46]      Ms Jackie Wilson, Deputy Secretary, Early Childhood and Child Care, Department of Education and Training, answers to questions on notice, 9 March 2017 (received 16 March 2017).

[47]      Department of Social Services, Department of Education and Training and the Department of Employment, Submission 7, p. 5.

[48]      Ms Jackie Wilson, Acting Secretary, Department of Education and Training, Committee Hansard, 4 October 2016 p. 28.

[49]      Department of Social Services, Department of Education and Training and the Department of Employment, Submission 7, p. 4.

[50]      Department of Social Services, Department of Education and Training and the Department of Employment, Submission 7, pp. 4-5.

[51]      Department of Social Services, Department of Education and Training and the Department of Employment, Submission 7, p. 4.

[52]      See, for example, submissions made to the inquiry into the Fairer Paid Parental Leave Bill 2016 (FPPL Bill): Queensland Nurses Union, Submission 21, Police Federation of Australia, Submission 51; Australian Christian Lobby, Submission 58; Australian Council of Social Service, Submission 70,; Professor Guyonne Kalb and Profess A. Abigail Payne, Submission 95; Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, Submission 100; Australian Human Rights Commission, Submission 104.

[53]      See, for example, submissions made to the inquiry into the FPPL Bill: National Foundation for Australian Women, Submission 27; Catholic Commission for Employment Relations, Submission 33; Victorian Women's Trust, Submission 35; Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (Victorian Branch), Submission 43; South Australian Premier's Council for Women, Submission 57; Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Commission, Submission 64; Work and Family Policy Roundtable, Submission 97; Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (South Australian Branch), Submission 101.

[54]      Fairer Paid Parental Leave Bill 2016, EM, p. 2.

[55]      Social Services Legislation Amendment (Omnibus Savings and Child Care Reform) Bill 2017, EM, p. 173.

[56]      Australian Services Union, Submission 23, [p. 1].

[57]      SDA, Submission 47, p. 7.

[58]      See, for example, submissions made to the inquiry into the FPPL Bill: Community and Public Sector Union PSU Group, Submission 47; Shop Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association, Submission 52; YWCA Adelaide, Submission 61; Australian Council of Trade Unions, Submission 68; Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (South Australian Branch), Submission 101.

[59]      See, for example: Australian Council of Social Service, Submission 13, p. 8; Queensland Nurses Union, Submission 19, pp. 1-2, YWCA Adelaide, Submission 36, p. 1; The Parenthood, Submission 105, FPPL Bill, p. 3; ACOSS, Submission 70, FPPL Bill, p. 2; Women and Family Policy Roundtable, Submission 97, FPPL Bill, p. 10.

[60]      See, for example, submissions made to the inquiry into the FPPL Bill: Australian Education Union, Submission 46; Community and Public Sector Union PSU Group, Submission 47; Shop Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association, Submission 52; YWCA Adelaide, Submission 61; Australian Council of Trade Unions, Submission 68, Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (Tasmania Branch), Submission 106.

[61]      See, for example, submissions made to the inquiry into the FPPL Bill: Australian Council of Trade Unions, Submission 68, p. 9; See also: Diversity Council Australia, Submission 32; Victorian Women's Trust, Submission 35; Health Workers Union, Submission 39.1; Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (Victorian Branch), Submission 43; Australian Services Union, Submission 49; Shop Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association, Submission 52; Finance Sector Union, Submission 66; Joint submission: Equality Rights Alliance and 28 other organisations, Submission 93.

[62]      Mrs Kelly Merlo, Member, Police Federation of Australia, Committee Hansard, 1 February 2017, p. 38.

[63]      Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Submission 58, FPPL Bill [p. 2].

[64]      Mrs Gerardine Kearney, President, Australian Council of Trade Union, Committee Hansard, 1 February 2017, p. 43.

[65]      Ms Roslyn Baxter, Group Manager, Families Group, Committee Hansard, 1 February 2017, pp. 68-69.

[66]      Professor Marian Baird, Committee Hansard, p. 7.

[67]      Department of Social Services, Submission 48, FPPL Bill, p. 4.

[68]      Department of Social Services, Submission 48, FPPL Bill, p. 4.

[69]      The Hon Christian Porter MP, Minister for Social Services, House of Representatives Hansard, 20 October 2016, p. 2687.

[70]      See, for example, submissions made to the inquiry into the FPPL Bill: Community and Public Sector Union PSU Group, Submission 47; Shop Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association, Submission 52; South Australian Premier's Council for Women, Submission 57; YWCA Adelaide, Submission 61; Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (South Australian Branch), Submission 101.

[71]      Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA), Submission 98, FPPL Bill, p. 8.

[72]      WGEA, Submission 98, FPPL Bill, p. 9.

[73]      WGEA, Submission 98, FPPL Bill, p. 9.

[74]      WGEA, Submission 98, FPPL Bill, p. 8.

[75]      Professor Andrew Scott, Committee Hansard, 1 February 2017, p. 9.

[76]      Professor Andrew Scott, Committee Hansard, 1 February 2017, p 6-7.

[77]      See, for example, submissions made to the inquiry into the FPPL Bill: National Foundation for Australian Women, Submission 27, [pp 3-4]; SDA, Submission 52, pp 13-15; University of Sydney Business School Women and Work Research Group, Submission 65, p. 5; The Parenthood, Submission 105, p. 3.

[78]      Department of Social Services, Submission 48, FPPL Bill, p. 4.

[79]      Workplace Gender Equality Agency, Submission 98, FPPL Bill, p. 12.

[80]      Department of Social Services, Department of Education and Training and the Department of Employment, Submission 7, p. 17.

[81]      See, for example, submissions made to the inquiry into the FPPL Bill: Community and Public Sector Union PSU Group, Submission 47; Australian Services Union, Submission 49; Finance Sector Union, Submission 66; Australian Council of Trade Unions, Submission 68.

[82]      Community and Public Sector Union PSU Group, Submission 47, FPPL Bill, p. 20.

[83]      Shop Distributive Allied Employees Association, Submission 52, FPPL Bill, p. 20.

[84]      Australian Services Union, Submission 49, FPPL Bill, p. 7.

[85]      Ms Jo Briskey, Executive Director, The Parenthood, Committee Hansard, 1 February 2017, p. 14.

[86]      Department of Social Services, answers to questions on notice, 9 March 2017 (received 16 March 2017).

[87]      Department of Social Services, answers to questions on notice, 9 March 2017 (received 16 March 2017).

[88]      Australian Human Rights Commission, Submission 104.1, FPPL Bill, p. 5.

[89]      Ms Kate Jenkins, Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission, Committee Hansard, 1 February 2017, p. 56.

[90]      See, for example, submissions made to the inquiry into the FPPL Bill: Community and Public Sector Union PSU Group, Submission 47; Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Submission 56; Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Submission 59; Finance Sector Union, Submission 66; Australian Council of Trade Union, Submission 68; Professor Guyonne Kalb and Profess A. Abigail Payne, Submission 95; Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, Submission 100; Australian Human Rights Commission, Submission 104.

[91]      Professor Guyonne Kalb and Professor Abigail Payne, Submission 95, FPPL Bill, p. 2.

[92]      Professor Guyonne Kalb, Committee Hansard, p. 3.

[93]      Professor Marian Baird, Committee Hansard, p. 7.

[94]      Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Submission 59, FPPL Bill, [p. 1].

[95]      Mr Scott Harris, Workplace Relations Manager, Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Committee Hansard, p. 22.

[96]      Mr Jayesh Lodhia, Pharmacist Member, Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Committee Hansard, 1 February 2017, p. 25.

[97]      Department of Social Services, Submission 48, FPPL Bill, p. 2.

[98]      Department of Social Services, Department of Education and Training and the Department of Employment, Submission 7, p. 18.

[99]      Fair Work Ombudsman, Keeping in touch days, https://www.fairwork.gov.au/leave/maternity-and-parental-leave/when-on-parental-leave/keeping-in-touch-days (accessed 20 March 2017).

Labor Senators' Dissenting Report

[1]        Evidence to the public hearing, Social Services Legislation Amendment (Omnibus Savings and Child Care Reform) Bill 2017, 9 March 2017.

[2]        Evidence to the public hearing, 9 March 2017.

[3]        Evidence to the public hearing, 9 March 2017.

[4]        Evidence to the public hearing, 9 March 2017.

[5]        Evidence to the public hearing, 9 March 2017.

[6]        Evidence to the public hearing, 9 March 2017.

[7]        Ms Cath Halbert, Group Manager, Department of Social Services, evidence to the public hearing 9 March, 2017.

[8]        Ms Cath Halbert, Group Manager, Department of Social Services, evidence to the public hearing 9 March, 2017.

[9]        Evidence to the public hearing, 9 March 2017.

[10]      Evidence to the public hearing, 9 March 2017.

[11]      Evidence to the public hearing 1 February 2017.

[12]      Evidence to the public hearing, 1 February 2017.

[13]      Ms Roslyn Baxter, Group Manager, DSS, evidence to the public hearing, 1 February 2017.

[14]      Evidence to the public hearing on 1 February 2017.

[15]      Evidence to the public hearing on 1 February 2017.

[16]      Evidence to the public hearing 1 February 2017.

[17]      Professor Marian Baird, Private Capacity, Evidence to the public hearing 1 February 2017.

[18]      Professor Guyonne Kalb, Melburne Institute, Evidence to the public hearing 1 February 2017.

[19]      Dr Myra Hamilton, Work and Family Policy Roundtable, Evidence to the public Hearing 1 February 2017.

[20]      Ged Kearney, President, ACTU, Evidence to the public hearing 1 February 2017.

[21]      Stephen Smith, Head of National Workplace Relations Policy, Australian Industry Group, Evidence to the public hearing 1 February 2017.

[22]      Ged Kearney, Evidence to the public hearing 1February 2017.

[23]      Commissioner Kate Jenkins, Sex Discrimination Commission, Australian Human Rights Commission, Evidence to the public hearing, 1 February 2017.

[24]      Cath Halbert, Group Manager, Payments Policy, Department of Social Services, Community Affairs Estimates 2 March 2017, Hansard.

[25]      Charmaine Crowe, Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer, ACOSS, Evidence to the public hearing March 9 2017.

[26]      Dr Cassandra Goldie, CEO, ACOSS, Evidence to the public hearing 9 March 2017.

[27]      Bernie Nott, Co-Chair, Early Learning and Care Council of Australia, Evidence to the public hearing 9 March 2017.

[28]      Evidence to the public hearing 9 March 2017.

[29]      Evidence to the public hearing 9 March 2017.

[30]      Evidence to the public hearing 9 March 2017.

[31]      Evidence to the public hearing, 9 March 2017.

[32]      Evidence to the public hearing, 9 March 2017.

[33]      Anne Bowler, Chairperson, National Association of Mobile Services for Rural and Remote Families and Children, Evidence to the public hearing 9 March 2017.

Australian Greens' Dissenting Report

[1]        National Social Security Rights Network, Submission 9, p.1.

[2]        ACOSS, Submission 13, p.1.

[3]        ACOSS, Submission 13, p.2.

[4]        NSSRN, Submission 9, p.2.

[5]        ACOSS, Submission 13, p.1.

[6]        ACOSS, Submission 13, p.2.

[7]        NSSRN, Submission 9, p.3.

[8]        National Council of Single Mothers and their Children, Submission 16, p.4.

[9]        Dr Cassandra Goldie, Committee Hansard, 9 March 2017, p .9.

[10]      NSSRN, Submission 9, p.3.

[11]      ACOSS, Submission 13, p.3.

[12]      ACOSS, Submission 13, p.3.

[13]      ACOSS, Submission 13, p.4.

[14]      ACOSS, Submission 13, p.4.

[15]      NSSRN, Submission 9, p.5.

[16]      ACOSS, Submission 13, p.5.

[17]      Ms Charmaine Crowe, Committee Hansard, 9 March 2017, p .5.

[18]      ACOSS, Submission 13, p.6.

[19]      NSSRN, Submission 9, p.6.

[20]      NSSRN, Submission 9, p.7.

[21]      NSSRN, Submission 9, p.7.

[22]      NSSRN, Submission 9, p.8.

[23]      National Council of Single Mothers and their Children, Submission 16, p.7.

[24]      Ms Charmaine Crowe, Committee Hansard, 9 March 2017, p .6.

[25]      NSSRN, Submission 9, p.8.

[26]      NSSRN, Submission 9, p.7.

[27]      Community and Public Sector Union, Submission 36, p.11.  

[28]      Australian Human Rights Commission, Submission 104, p. 3.

[29]      Australian Council of Trade Unions, Submission 11, p. 7.

[30]      Australian Council of Trade Unions, Submission 11, p. 6.

[31]      Dr Cassandra Goldie, Committee Hansard, 9 March 2017, p .2.