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

Senator ALLMAN-PAYNE (Queensland) (10:17): If it suits the convenience of the chamber, I would propose that I ask questions on some other amendments that I will foreshadow I'll be moving so that we can consider each of those amendments as a block towards the end of the questions. The TEMPORARY CHAIR ( Senator Chandler ): Sure. Senator ALLMAN-PAYNE: In that case, I want to foreshadow that I'll also be moving an amendment on sheet 3490.

This relates to the timeframe for which the resolution scheme will apply. At the moment, the resolution scheme in the bill limits eligibility for debts impacted from 2003 onwards. However, in November 2024, officials from the Department of Social Services advised the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee that the unlawful use of income apportionment predates 2003 amendments, and it actually dates back to at least 1991.

So my question to the minister is: why is the government refusing to provide compensation for those impacted prior to 2003?