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) (12:30): We work—myself and the Minister for Social Services—very closely with women's legal services and with Aboriginal legal services, so of course there is an ongoing commitment to continue to engage with those organisations, including on anything that those organisations notice in the use of this power.

I would also say that we're waiting for the ombudsman to respond to the minister's letter. How they decide to engage and report on this power would also be a safeguard in watching the application of this power and whether it is being used in a particular way. I should say that it's not a power to be given to the police.

It is a power that would ultimately be for a decision-maker of the Minister for Home Affairs— Senator Thorpe: With advice from the cops. Senator GALLAGHER: Obviously, agencies would have to engage, but, ultimately, it's not a power that is available to the police.