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

I move Greens amendment (5) on sheet 5251:

(5)    Schedule 6, item 3, page 135 (after line 3), at the end of the item, add:

      (3B)    The Secretary may:

             (a)    vary the timing or the amount paid for the purposes of subsection (3) on the recommendation of a qualified social worker; and

             (b)    if an amount is required for a major purchase, direct that the payment be made in a specified manner for a specified purpose.

This amendment allows for a lump sum payment on the recommendation of a social worker where it can be demonstrated that a lump sum payment is necessary in order to a make major purchase to assist a person under 18 who, in theory, would have to have periodic payments. The arguments that the minister made about the benefits of lump sum payments also apply to those under 18. In fact, I would argue that in some cases it is probably more important for those under 18 to be able to, with guidance, make lump sum purchases. They may need to buy, for example, baby furniture, and they may need to acquire accommodation or a car. There are a number of things that those under 18 may require a lump sum payment for, for the same reasons the government put for those over 18 when they were opposing our amendments to require periodic payments for all recipients.

The Greens believe that periodic payments should be for everybody and, if recommended by the department or on the advice of a social worker, a lump sum payment also be made available. Of course, the government and the ALP have just rejected those amendments. We believe that there does need to be provision for those under 18 who are on periodic payments to be able to access a lump sum payment if necessary. Therefore, we move this amendment to enable that decision on lump sum payments to be made. As I understand it from previous answers, there is no provision for those under 18 to be able to access a lump sum payment in an emergency. I ask: what provisions are there if people under 18 require a larger sum of money than is available under the periodic payments? I am aware of the other schedule the minister was talking about.