Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Hansard source

In this legislation the Treasurer doesn't get the power to change IR laws or social security laws, if that is the question. Obviously, there is the capacity here, through the rule-making power, for the Treasurer to vary payment rates, but that can only be prospective and it is in the context of this legislation and this payment. We've also previously legislated, as a parliament, to give the social services minister certain powers for a temporary period, sunseted to 31 December 2020, to make changes to various payment rates, eligibility criteria and the like in relation to income support payments.