CHAPTER 1
Introduction
1.1
On 20 November 2013, the Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment
Bill 2013 (Bill) was introduced into the House of Representatives by the
Minister for Social Services (Minister), the Hon Kevin Andrews MP.[1]
The Bill was passed by the House of Representatives on 4 December 2013.[2]
1.2
On 5 December 2013, the Bill was introduced into the Senate.[3]
On the same day, the Senate referred Schedule 2 of the Bill – Continuing income
management as part of the Cape York Welfare Reform – to the Senate Finance and
Public Administration Legislation Committee (committee) for inquiry and report
by 12 December 2013.[4]
In order to assist the parliament's timely consideration of the Bill, the
committee decided to present its report on 11 December 2013.
Purpose of Schedule 2 of the Bill
1.3
Schedule 2 of the Bill seeks to amend the Social
Security (Administration) Act 1999 to extend the operation of income
management in Cape York for a further two years until the end of 2015.[5]
Income management is an element of the Cape York Welfare Reform trial.
1.4
The Explanatory Memorandum provides the following reason for the
proposed amendment in Schedule 2 of the Bill:
The continuation of income management until the end of 2015
as a key element of the reforms will continue to assist in stabilising people's
circumstances and fostering behavioural change, particularly in the areas of
school attendance, parental responsibility and increasing individual
responsibility.[6]
Conduct of the inquiry
1.5
Details of the inquiry, including links to the Bill and associated
documents, were placed on the committee's website.
1.6
The committee also directly contacted a number of relevant organisations
and individuals to notify them of the inquiry and invite submissions by 9
December 2013. Submissions received by the committee are listed at
Appendix 1.
1.7
The committee decided to prepare its report on the basis of submissions
received and available information. The committee thanks those who assisted by
providing submissions to the inquiry.
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