Chapter 1 - Social Services Legislation Amendment

[1]        Australian Government, Budget measures: budget paper no. 2: 2017-18, p. 147, 148 and 152. The other measure, contained in Schedule 2, was included in the former Social Services Legislation Amendment (Omnibus Savings and Child Care Reform) Bill 2017, which was subsequently removed from the Notice Paper.

[2]        The Hon Christian Porter MP, Minister for Social Services, House of Representatives Hansard, 21 June 2017, p. 7196.

[3]        Social Services Legislation Amendment (Payment Integrity) Bill 2017, Explanatory Memorandum, p3.

[4]        The Hon Christian Porter MP, House of Representatives Hansard, 21 June 2017, p. 7196.

[5]        Explanatory Memorandum, pp. 2-3.

[6]        Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills, Scrutiny Digest Number 8, 9 August 2017, pp. 21-22.

[7]        Scrutiny Digest Number 8, 9 August 2017, p. 22.

[8]        Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills, Preliminary comments and response, 28 August 2017, https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/ Scrutiny_of_Bills/Ministerial_Responses.

[9]        Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, Human rights scrutiny report 7 of 2017, 8 August 2017, pp. 18-19.

[10]      Journals of the Senate, No. 48, 22 June 2017, p. 1540.

[11]      See: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/ PaymentIntegrity.

[12]      Catholic Social Services Australia, Submission 1, p. 1. The issue of rising inequity and the need to maintain income support payments was raised in most submissions to the inquiry.

[13]      St Vincent de Paul Society, Submission 13, p. 3.

[14]      Ms Kate Zizys, Australian Unemployed Workers Union, Committee Hansard, p. 8.

[15]      The Hon Christian Porter MP, House of Representatives Hansard, 21 June 2017, p. 7196.

[16]      Department of Social Services, Social Security Payments – Residence Criteria, https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-department/international/policy/social-security-payments-residence-criteria (accessed 27 July 2017).

[17]      Explanatory Memorandum, pp. 6-7.

[18]      The Hon Christian Porter MP, House of Representatives Hansard, 21 June 2017, p. 7197.

[19]      Department of Social Services, Welfare – Other Measures, 2017 Budget, p. 3.

[20]      Department of Social Services, Submission 11, p. 2.

[21]      Explanatory Memorandum, pp. 2-3.

[22]      Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils, Submission 8, p. 2. See also submissions from National Social Security Rights Network, St Vincent de Paul Society and Volunteering Australia.

[23]      This issue was raised in submissions from Carers Australia, Chinese Australian Services Society, Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils, People with Disability Australia and St Vincent de Paul Society. Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils.

[24]      This issue was raised in submissions from Anglicare Australia, Australian Council of Social Service and St Vincent de Paul Society.

[25]      National Social Security Rights Network, Budget 2017 – new residence rules for pensions, 27 May 2017, p. 2, see (accessed 31 July 2017).

[26]      National Social Security Rights Network, Submission 12, p. 3.

[27]      Catholic Social Services Australia, Submission 1, p. 2.

[28]      Anglicare Australia, Submission 5, p. 4.

[29]      National Social Security Rights Network, Budget 2017 – new residence rules for pensions, 27 May 2017, p. 3. See also submissions from Anglicare Australia, Carers Australia and St Vincent de Paul Society and also Dr Cassandra Goldie, Australian Council of Social Service, Committee Hansard, 30 August 2017, p. 1.

[30]      This visa requires an assurance of support, usually from an adult child resident in Australia, who guarantees to provide financial support or repay any recoverable social security payments made to the migrant during the first 10 years of Australian residence. See: https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-department/international/policy/social-security-payments-residence-criteria.

[31]      National Social Security Rights Network, Budget 2017 – new residence rules for pensions, 27 May 2017, p. 2, see (accessed 31 July 2017). This issue was also raised by St Vincent de Paul Society, Submission 13, p. 7.

[32]      Chinese Australian Services Society, Submission 4, p. 3.

[33]      Chinese Australian Services Society, Submission 4, p. 3.

[34]      Carers Australia, Submission 2, p. 3, and Volunteering Australia, Submission 7, p. 4.

[35]      Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils and National Ethnic Disability Alliance, Submission 8, p. 2.

[36]      St Vincent de Paul Society, Submission 13, p. 8.

[37]      Australian Council of Social Service, Submission 6, p. 2. See also submissions from Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils and National Ethnic Disability Alliance, National Social Security Rights Network, St Vincent de Paul Society.

[38]      Department of Social Services, Submission 11, p. 1.

[39]      Department of Social Services, Social Security Payments – Residence Criteria, https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-department/international/policy/social-security-payments-residence-criteria (accessed 27 July 2017).

[40]      Australian Parliamentary Library, Budget Review 2017-18: Pensions, https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/BudgetReview201718/Pensions (accessed 26 July 2017).

[41]      Department of Social Services, Submission 11, pp. 1-2.

[42]      Department of Human Services, Pension Supplement, https://www.humanservices.gov.au/ individuals/services/centrelink/pension-supplement  (accessed 31 July 2017).

[43]      The Hon Christian Porter MP, House of Representatives Hansard, 21 June 2017, p. 7197.

[44]      The changes impact the Pension Supplement paid under the Age Pension as well as under the Veterans Entitlements Act 1986.

[45]      The Hon Christian Porter MP, House of Representatives Hansard, 21 June 2017, p. 7198.

[46]      The Hon Christian Porter MP, House of Representatives Hansard, 21 June 2017, p. 7198.

[47]      Explanatory Memorandum, p. 10.

[48]      Refugee Council of Australia, Submission 9, p. 1. See also submissions from Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils and National Ethnic Disability Alliance, People with Disability Australia and St Vincent de Paul Society.

[49]      Chinese Australian Services Society, Submission 4, p. 4.

[50]      Catholic Social Services Australia, Submission 1, p. 2.

[51]      Explanatory Memorandum, p. 10.

[52]      Explanatory Memorandum, Statement of compatibility with human rights, pp. 20-21.

[53]      National Social Security Rights Network, Submission 12, p. 3.

[54]      National Social Security Rights Network, Submission 12, p. 3. See also Australian Council of Social Service, Submission 6, pp. 2-3.

[55]      Dr Goldie, Australian Council of Social Service, Committee Hansard, 30 August 2017, pp. 6‑7.

[56]      Department of Social Services, Submission 11, p. 3.

[57]      Taper rates to reduce the amount of FTB Part A payments apply when the recipient's annual family income is over $52 706. The taper rates differ depending on the amount of income earned, and the number and age of dependent children. See the Department's website for current taper rates: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/income-test-family-tax-benefit-part.

[58]      Department of Human Services, Income test for Family Tax Benefit Part A, https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/enablers/income-test-family-tax-benefit-part,   (accessed 31 July 2017).

[59]      Explanatory Memorandum, p. 15.

[60]      Department of Social Services, Welfare – Other Measures, 2017 Budget, p. 3.

[61]      Australian Parliamentary Library, Budget Review 2017-18: Family Payments, https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/BudgetReview201718/FamilyPayments (accessed 1 August July 2017).

[62]      The Hon Christian Porter MP, House of Representatives Hansard, 21 June 2017, p. 7198.

[63]      Catholic Social Services Australia, Submission 1, p. 2.

[64]      National Social Security Rights Network, Submission 12, p. 4.

[65]      Ms Nicole Lessio, The Parenthood, Committee Hansard, 31 August 2017, p. 2.

[66]      Australian Council of Social Service, Submission 6, p. 3.

[67]      National Social Security Rights Network, Submission 12, p. 4.

[68]      National Council of Single Mothers and their Children, Submission 14, p. 2.

[69]      The Hon Christian Porter MP, House of Representatives Hansard, 21 June 2017, p. 7198.

[70]      Explanatory Memorandum, p. 17.

[71]      The Hon Christian Porter MP, House of Representatives Hansard, 21 June 2017, p. 7199.

[72]      Anglicare Australia, Submission 5, p. 5.

[73]      Dr Goldie, Australian Council of Social Service, Committee Hansard, 30 August 2017, p. 5.

[74]      This issue was raised in submissions from Australian Council of Social Service, Chinese Australian Services Society, National Social Security Rights Network and St Vincent de Paul Society and also during committee hearings by the Australian Council of Social Service and the Unemployed Workers Union.

[75]      Ms Nicole Lessio, The Parenthood, Committee Hansard, 31 August 2017, p. 1.

[76]      Ms Kate Zizys, Australian Unemployed Workers Union, Committee Hansard, p. 8.

[77]      Catholic Social Services Australia, Submission 1, pp. 2-3.

[78]      National Council of Single Mothers and Their Children, Committee Hansard, 31 August 2017, p. 3.

[79]      This issue was raised in submissions from Anglicare Australia, Australian Council of Social Service, National Social Security Rights Network, St Vincent de Paul Society.

[80]      The Hon Christian Porter MP, House of Representatives Hansard, 21 June 2017, p. 7199.

[81]      Department of Social Services, Submission 11, p.5.

[82]      The Hon Christian Porter MP, House of Representatives Hansard, 21 June 2017, pp. 7199‑7200.

[83]      St Vincent de Paul Society, Submission 13, p. 13.

[84]      Department of Social Services, Submission 11, p.6.

Australian Labor Party Senators' Dissenting Report

[1]        Catholic Social Services Australia, Submission 1, p. 3.

[2]        St Vincent de Paul, Submission 13, p. 1.

[3]        Dr Emma Campbell, Director, Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia, Committee Hansard, Thursday 31 August 2017, p. 6.

[4]        Anglicare Australia, Submission 5, p. 6.

[5]        Department of Social Services, Submission 11. p. 3.

[6]        Dr Emma Campbell, Committee Hansard, Thursday 31 August 2017, p. 11.

[7]        Dr Emma Campbell, Committee Hansard , Thursday 31 August 2017, p. 11.

[8]        Dr Cassandra Goldie, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Council of Social Service, Committee Hansard, Wednesday 30 August 2017, p. 5.

[9]        Dr Emma Campbell, Committee Hansard, Thursday 31 August 2017, p. 6.

[10]      Catholic Social Services Australia, Submission 1, p. 2.

[11]      Mr Matthew Butt, Executive Officer, National Social Security Rights Network, Committee Hansard, Wednesday 30 August 2017, p. 2.

[12]      Dr Cassandra Goldie, Committee Hansard, Wednesday 30 August 2017, p. 4.

[13]      Scrutiny Digest Number 8, 9 August 2017, p 22.

[14]      Ms Charmaine Crowe, Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer, Australian Council of Social Service, Committee Hansard, Wednesday 30 August 2017, p. 6.

[15]      Dr Emma Campbell, Committee Hansard ,Thursday 31 August 2017, p. 14.

[16]      Dr Emma Campbell, Committee Hansard, Thursday 31 August 2017, p. 14.

[17]      Mr Matthew Butt, Committee Hansard, Wednesday 30 August 2017, p. 6.

[18]      Ms Nicole Lessio, Acting Executive Director, The Parenthood, Committee Hansard, Thursday 31 August 2017, p. 2.

[19]      Ms Nicole Lessio, Committee Hansard, Thursday 31 August 2017, p. 2.

[20]      Ms Nicole Lessio, Committee Hansard, Thursday 31 August 2017, p. 2.

[21]      Catholic Social Services Australia, Submission 1, p. 2.

[22]      Dr Cassandra Goldie, Committee Hansard, Wednesday 30 August 2017, p. 2.

[23]      Ms Nicole Lessio, Committee Hansard, Thursday 31 August 2017, p. 1.

[24]      Ms Nicole Lessio, Committee Hansard, Thursday 31 August 2017, p. 3.

[25]      Catholic Social Services Australia, Submission 1, p. 3.

[26]      Dr Cassandra Goldie, Committee Hansard, Wednesday 30 August 2017, p. 1.

[27]      Mr Matthew Butt, Committee Hansard, Wednesday 30 August 2017, p. 3.

Dissenting Report by the Australian Greens

[1]        Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS), Submission 6, p. 1.

[2]        National Social Security Rights Network (NSSRN), Submission 12, p. 3.

[3]        ACOSS, Submission 6, p. 2; Volunteering Australia, Submission 7, p. 4.

[4]        Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia (FECCA) and National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA), Submission 8, p. 2.

[5]        NSSRN, Submission 12, p. 3.

[6]        The Hon Christian Porter MP, Minister for Social Services, House of Representatives Hansard, 21 June 2017, p. 7197.

[7]        Carers Australia, Submission 2, p. 3; NSSRN, Submission 12, p. 2; ACOSS, Submission 6, p. 2.

[8]        NSSRN, Submission 12, p. 2; ACOSS, Submission 6, p. 2.

[9]        NSSRN, Submission 12, pp. 2-3.

[10]      Carers Australia, Submission 2, p. 3.

[11]      ACOSS, Submission 6, p. 2; NSSRN, Submission 12, p. 3.

[12]      ACOSS, Submission 6, p. 2.

[13]      NSSRN, Submission 12, p. 3.

[14]      ACOSS, Submission 6, p. 2; NSSRN, Submission 12, p. 3.

[15]      Carers Australia, Submission 2, p. 3.

[16]      NSSRN, Submission 12, p. 3.

[17]      ACOSS, Submission 6, p. 2.

[18]      FECCA and NEDA, Submission 8, p. 3.

[19]      FECCA and NEDA, Submission 8, p. 3.

[20]      FECCA and NEDA, Submission 8, p. 3.

[21]      Anglicare Australia, Submission 5, p. 5; NSSRN, Submission 12, p. 3; ACOSS, Submission 6, p. 3.

[22]      NSSRN, Submission 12, p. 3.

[23]      Social Services Legislation Amendment (Payment Integrity) Bill 2017, Explanatory Memorandum, p. 9.

[24]      NSSRN, Submission 12, p. 3.

[25]      NSSRN, Submission 12, p. 4.

[26]      NSSRN, Submission 12, p. 4.

[27]      Anglicare Australia, Submission 5, p. 5.

[28]      ACOSS, Submission 6, p. 3.

[29]      NSSRN, Submission 12, p. 4.

[30]      Anglicare Australia, Submission 5, p. 5; Catholic Social Services Australia, Submission 1, p. 2.

[31]      ACOSS, Submission 6, p. 3.

[32]      NSSRN, Submission12, p. 5.

[33]      NSSRN, Submission12, p. 5; ACOSS, Submission 6, p. 4.

[34]      ACOSS, Submission 6, p. 4.

[35]      Committee Hansard, 31 August, pp. 1-2.

[36]      ACOSS, Submission 6, p. 4.

[37]      ACOSS, Submission 6, p. 4.

[38]      NSSRN, Submission 12, p. 6; ACOSS, Submission 6, p. 4.

[39]      NSSRN, Submission 12, p. 6.

[40]      Ken Henry et al, 'Australia's Future Tax System' (Pt 1) (Report to the Treasurer, Commonwealth of Australia, December 2009), p. 97. 

[41]      NSSRN, Submission 12, p. 6; ACOSS, Submission 6, p. 4.

[42]      ACOSS, Submission 6, p. 4.

[43]      NSSRN, Submission 12, p. 6.