Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I do feel that the minister has misrepresented what I was arguing previously. If our other amendments had passed, this amendment would apply to everybody. This amendment was designed basically as a ‘you can get your cash quick if you can demonstrate you need it’ clause for everybody. Even though our amendments that were seeking to make periodic payments available for everybody did not get up, we still believe that this amendment should apply to those under 18.

I heard the minister say that this is what the community wanted. Not all the community said they wanted it. I draw his attention to the comments that were made in the submission and during the Community Affairs Committee inquiry into this bill by, for example, the National Council of Single Mothers and their Children, who specifically asked for a clause like this. They said that they could see some of the arguments that were coming from the community, and some of the arguments around helping some people under 18 if they had financial troubles to assist them through the periodic payment process, but that there should be an amendment that provided for lump sum payments where necessary. I cannot believe that the government believe—and I am very sorry if they do—that every person under 18 who has received the baby bonus until now has used the money inappropriately. I do not believe that the government believe that. I do not believe that they believe that every person under 18 has enough resources to be able to buy the sorts of equipment that may be necessary for those under 18 to be able to set up a nursery, a home, to buy provisions that a baby requires. I repeat: the same argument that applies for those over 18, where the government have said that they feel the best way to provide for them is a lump sum because there may be necessary purchases et cetera, applies for those under 18. There may be circumstances—and in the amendment that is on the recommendation of a qualified social worker—where lump sum payments are necessary. I ask again: what happens if more money—I appreciate the amounts you have articulated that will be available—is necessary in order to set up a home or nursery or to provide for the child?