1.1
The Social Security Legislation Amendment (Streamlined Participation Requirements and Other Measures) Bill 2021 (the bill) was introduced into the House of Representatives by the Hon Alan Tudge MP, Minister for Education and Youth, on 27 May 2021.
1.2
In accordance with the resolution of the Senate on 13 May 2021, the provisions of the bill were referred to the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee (the committee) for inquiry and report by 11 June 2021.
1.3
On 3 June 2021, the committee tabled a progress report outlining its intention to report on 18 June 2021. On 15 June 2021, the Senate granted the committee an extension of time to report to 18 June 2021.
Purpose of the bill
1.4
The bill would amend the Farm Household Support Act 2014 (the Farm Household Support Act), the Social Security Act 1991 (the Social Security Act), and the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 (the Administration Act) to:
facilitate the use of technology to enable job seekers to manage their own mutual obligations and pathway back to employment;
place legislative authority for Commonwealth expenditure on employment programs within the responsibility of the Employment Minister;
more clearly support the intent of the Targeted Compliance Framework to encourage job seekers to comply with their mutual obligation requirements and re-engage when they have failed to meet these requirements;
ensure that payments from government employment programs do not need to be declared as income (and do not reduce a job seeker's payment);
clarify an administrative process for declarations of approved programs of work;
replicate in a consolidated way the existing provisions that specify certain Commonwealth workplace laws do not apply in relation to participation in programs as part of mutual obligation requirements, while also clarifying that the program does not need to specifically be in a person's employment pathway plan;
make clear that young people who are participating in full-time study as part of a job plan are considered job seekers and not students for the purposes of the youth allowance income-free area; and
align payment commencement for job seekers referred to online employment services with those who are referred to a provider.
1.5
The bill also repeals spent provisions in relation to concluded programs in the Social Security Act and the Administration Act, and makes other minor contingent amendments to the Social Security Act.
Conduct of the inquiry
1.6
In accordance with its usual practice, the committee advertised the inquiry on its website and wrote to relevant individuals and stakeholders inviting submissions by 4 June 2021. The submission deadline was subsequently extended until 9 June 2021.
1.7
The committee received 15 submissions which are listed at Appendix 1 of this report. The public submissions are available on the committee's website.
1.8
The committee also held a public hearing on 11 June 2021 in Canberra. A list of the witnesses who gave evidence at the hearing is listed at Appendix 2.
Scope and structure of the report
1.9
This report comprises three chapters. Chapter 2 outlines the key provisions of the bill and provides background information. Chapter 3 examines the principal issues raised by stakeholders and sets out the committee view.
Notes on references
1.10
References to the committee Hansard transcripts in this report are to the proof Hansard; page numbers may vary between the proof and official Hansard transcripts.
Acknowledgements
1.11
The committee thanks those individuals and organisations who contributed to this inquiry by preparing written submissions and giving evidence at the public hearing.