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) (12:24): This power would apply to someone who is charged with committing a serious violent or sexual offence, where there is an outstanding arrest warrant and they are a threat to public safety.

If that person or individual who might be captured under this arrangement comes into contact with the authorities—that is, there is no longer an outstanding arrest warrant—access to the payment can be resumed. It is a very, very specific set of circumstances that this benefit restriction notice applies in, and it's for a very specific period of time so that the moment an individual becomes known to authorities, and there isn't that outstanding warrant, the entitlement to access that payment can be reactivated.