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) (12:28): Based on my earlier remarks, this part of the legislation—benefit restriction notices—will apply to a very narrow subset of individuals who have been charged with one of the offences that I just read out into the Hansard.

I am sympathetic to the view that Senator Thorpe puts around concerns about police and First Nations Australians, but I do not agree with her that this particular power—benefit restriction notices—applies in any widespread way, nor is it designed to target a particular demographic of the Australian community. It is a very, very narrow and specific set of circumstances and for a very set period of time.