Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Community Services) Share this | Hansard source

I note with interest Senator Siewert’s amendments. The fundamental difference between the government’s position and Senator Siewert’s position is that we believe providing a lump sum is, in all circumstances where it is not going to provide a disincentive, the very best way to go for somebody who requires, on the birth of their child, a number of materials. For them there is obviously a bonus and a benefit from having a lump sum rather than periodic payments. We have ensured that we will maintain that position except in circumstances where we believe that the recipient of the lump sum may be vulnerable. We have the capacity to assess the nature of that vulnerability through counselling processes and through a demographic assessment. Whilst some people within a demographic may well have the capacity to be able to receive a lump sum, it has been reasonably decided that it is in the best interests of people under 18 years of age, because of their inexperience—generally speaking, for someone under 18 years of age it would be the first time they had received a lump sum of money of this nature—to provide that in 13 payments.

As part of the principle that the lump sum is the very best way to provide the benefit, Senator Siewert, we would continue to support the notion that the lump sum should be provided except in circumstances where we believe people are vulnerable. I understood from the Greens amendments and from your second reading speech that your notion is that we would provide it in instalments unless we could demonstrate through some counselling process that it was safe to provide it in a lump sum. I take your point, Senator, but I hope you understand that is clearly the intent of government to provide the very best benefit we can. We think the circumstances are such that the very best benefit, which is a lump sum payment, will be paid unless vulnerable sectors and individuals are identified through the demographic assessment or through our counselling process. That is why we have decided to pursue the route that we have.