Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation) Share this | Hansard source

I thank senators for their brevity. I acknowledge that Senator Siewert’s contribution is genuine and well meant. In fact, she pursued some of these issues during Senate estimates. I put on record my acknowledgment of her genuine interest in this area. I say to her that the government is not minded to her amendment, and I will briefly outline the reasons why.

The government believes that wherever possible it is better for people to receive income from a job rather than from welfare. The government has already recognised the fact that family carers may have circumstances where, due to caring for the children of other family members, they are unable to look for work and may therefore need an exemption from the activity test. This exemption will allow for an individual caring for a child or children of a relative to have no participation requirements for up to 13 weeks. This is not based on whether they are a parent but the fact that they have special circumstances that temporarily limit their capacity to look for work.

Also under Welfare to Work, the existing rules around foster carer exemptions will make some allowance for family carers who are principle carers, be it of their child or the child of a relative, where they are considered to be active and are registered under the relevant state or territory legislation or regulation. This allowance will be made through the guide to the Social Security Act, which will identify the circumstances where a family carer may be treated as a foster carer. This will provide for a longer exemption from participation and the potential for a higher rate of payment where they are on income support.

I understand that the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations has consulted with all states and territories and with non-government agencies on this issue. I also believe that information on these guidelines was provided to Senator Siewert, the mover of this amendment, in response to a question on notice from the February additional Senate estimates hearings. In addition, in the recent budget it was announced that it will be easier for grandparents or other relatives who are looking after children to be identified as principle carers. The Welfare to Work reforms are not yet in place, so it is far too early to be talking about further adjustments when we believe we already have appropriate supports in place.

In response to Senator Wong, the guidelines are designed to provide as much flexibility as possible. I understand that some of them are online, but I offer Senator Wong a briefing by Minister Andrew’s office on what the guidelines will contain and the time line. I am unable to advance that issue any further. I make the same offer in relation to the breaching regime guidelines. Suffice to say, to fill in what might be a void in this debate, you are only excluded from receiving payments in circumstances where you are in breach for a third time or you reject a job. Those who are particularly vulnerable in our community, I understand, are case managed on an individual basis to ensure that they are given the sort of security that our community would expect. I understand that the Minister for Human Services may have made a statement in relation to this, but I confess that I am not sure of or acquainted with it, so all that I can offer to the honourable senator opposite is a briefing by Minister Andrew’s office.