Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 2) Bill 2025

Senator GALLAGHER (Australian Capital Territory—Minister for Finance, Minister for the Public Service, Minister for Women, Minister for Government Services and Manager of Government Business in the Senate) (12:10): I wasn't necessarily implying there was any support from those organisations. I'm just giving you some facts about who the Minister for Social Services spoke to.

This was a government decision about a power, based on advice from a number of different agencies, that we decided to include as an amendment. We didn't have a broad consultation process around it outside of government. It was a process that was led across ministers within government, and, as I said, the opportunity for ACOSS and EJA is really in working with the Minister for Social Services on the operational guidance around this.

I've already provided the Senate with a letter from the Minister for Social Services about the approach she intends to take with the Ombudsman around transparency and reporting, and I think there is opportunity for those organisations to be involved in that process. I think a lot of the concerns that have been raised this morning, particularly about how widespread this application of this power would be, are unfounded.

It is a very specific and very unusual set of circumstances that would lead to this power being applicable to someone on income support.