Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 1) Bill 2026

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) (12:59): The government won't be supporting Senator Allman-Payne's amendment, and I can deal with her question in response to the amendment. This bill doesn't seek to change the upper limit for urgent payment requests.

That has been in place for some time now. This bill is around ensuring the legal authority to provide urgent payments. This bill hasn't sought to change the limits.

I accept Senator Allman-Payne has a different view about the adequacy of those limits, but this bill is not about that. This is about ensuring the lawful payment of urgent payments.