Carina Garland (Chisholm, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

In November last year the Prime Minister announced the establishment of the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee. The committee was tasked with providing advice to government, ahead of every federal budget, on ways to boost economic inclusion and tackle disadvantage. As the Minister for Social Services has already advised the House, an interim committee comprised of a diverse range of experts has already commenced this important work, and this interim committee has delivered its first report, including advice on policy settings, systems and structures; and the adequacy, effectiveness, and sustainability of income support payments. This, importantly, really helps to inform the government's considerations out of the 2023-24 budget. I'm really pleased to be part of a government that is working every day to deliver on our positive agenda to boost economic inclusion and broaden opportunity for all Australians. The establishment now of the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee as a statutory body is an important step.

The Albanese government will always work to support the most vulnerable in our society, tackle disadvantage and provide more opportunities to boost economic participation. We recognise the value of ensuring a broad range of views is considered in the design and development of policy. That's why this bill reflects the Albanese government's commitment to hear from experts, stakeholders and, significantly, the community. We on this side of the House know that disadvantage is a complex and systemic problem.

That's why in our last budget we announced an overhaul of the way we as a government will seek to remove entrenched disadvantage. We are doing this by investing almost $200 million to deliver a comprehensive agenda to target investment in those communities doing it the toughest. The targeting entrenched disadvantage package, as the Minister for Social Services has previously stated, will better enable government to partner, to listen and to empower. We are partnering with philanthropy as well as listening to and empowering local leaders. I had the great pleasure of inviting the Treasurer to meet with local leaders who have championed targeted investment in their communities in Ashwood and Chadstone. The targeting entrenched disadvantage package will also allow us to work in a really direct way on the ground with communities to enable our services to be delivered in a way that meets their specific needs in a shared decision-making framework. We are listening to communities and making sure that we are empowering people within communities.

The Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee Bill establishes this committee as an independent statutory body. It will become a transparent mechanism for the future to provide expert advice to our government and to future governments on economic inclusion and tackling disadvantage in relation to policy settings, systems and structures. It will also look at the adequacy, effectiveness and sustainability of income support payments ahead of every federal budget. Announcing this committee is part of our agenda to boost economic inclusion and tackle disadvantage. This legislation seeks to fulfil our commitment to permanently legislate the committee and builds on arrangements that have been in place for the interim committee. Again, this reflects our commitment to really listen to experts, evidence, stakeholders and community views in all of the communities represented here in the parliament across the country to inform the decisions in each federal budget. This will ensure that we are receiving the very best advice on how to support Australians who need it most and how to minimise disadvantage across communities and tackle the entrenched disadvantage that we know exists in communities.

This is allowing us to build upon the important work we as a government are already doing with the support that we have already provided to Australians to help with cost-of-living pressures. Our previous budget, the 2023-24 budget, announced a range of measures to support those on low incomes, including increasing the rates of working age and student payments. That's really targeted relief. We have also made an increase to Commonwealth rent assistance and expanded access to the single parenting payment.

We know that boosting economic inclusion and tackling disadvantage simply cannot be resolved in a single budget process or in a single portfolio. Doing this work requires sustained commitment over time and across government, something that this government is up for. This bill will ensure that there is a permanent mechanism to benefit from the independent expert advice that government receives on the ways it can better support Australians. Ultimately the mechanism will help facilitate and broaden opportunity as well as help reduce disadvantage in our communities.

At a practical level, the committee will consist of a chair and up to 13 members, comprising of economists, academics, union business representatives and community advocates. These members will be appointed by the Minister for Social Services, in consultation with the Treasurer. Members will hold office on a part-time basis for a period of three years and will be eligible for reappointment once their term ends. The committee will provide annual advice in a report to government on a range of matters, with a focus on economic inclusion and lifting participation, the adequacy and sustainability of income support payments and reducing barriers to economic participation.

Transparency is really important for our government. The findings of the committee will be published on the Department of Social Services website. The minister and Treasurer will jointly direct the committee to consider specific issues within its set remit, which will ensure that the government can seek advice on areas of priority. When the committee is considering matters, it must also have regard to the government's economic fiscal outlook and business strategy. Additionally, it will also have regard to existing policies and the long-term sustainability of the social security system.

The committee will provide a report to government ahead of each federal budget, as I've previously mentioned, which the government may consider as part of the budget process.

Within five years from the commencement of the bill, the operation of the committee will be subject to independent review. That's to ensure that the committee is meeting its goals and objectives as set out in its legislated functions. The person or persons undertaking the review will provide a written report to the Minister for Social Services and the Treasurer within six months of the commencement of the review.

It's important here to note that the establishment of the committee as a statutory body is another signal that our government is absolutely committed to providing support to Australians who need it most. This commitment to really listen to experts, stakeholders and community views, to inform decisions in the budget that affect the lives of everybody in this country while we're still acting in a fiscally responsible manner, is really meaningful.

This bill allows for the minister and the Treasurer to jointly direct the committee to look at issues that are priorities and engage with communities in a really deep way. I'm really pleased to be part of a government that is making this commitment. We are funding this properly, so secretariat and research support will be provided.

The advice that government receives will be non-binding. Our government will continue to make the decisions necessary to improve the lives of our citizens, because that's what we've been elected to this place to do. Our responsibility, which we take seriously, is to listen to the community and make the best decisions that the time demands. I'm pleased to support this bill.

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