Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Rice for her question, and thank her for taking such an interest in this area and taking the trouble to read the minister's press releases, which explain much of what we're doing today.

Under this bill and amendments, the government is delivering a long-term plan to ensure certainty, choice and support to communities moving off the CDC program. First Nations people and other stakeholders have called for a measured approach to reforming income management. During consultation, they made the point that transition needed to reflect the complex needs of the participants and to mitigate any disruption to their ability to manage their money disbursements and their ability to buy essential goods and services. We'll continue consultation over the next 18 months to ensure communities are supported to decide what the future of income management looks like for them.

The government has considered whether to make changes to income management concurrently with the abolition of the CDC. However, we do not recommend this approach due to the difficulties in accessing the large number of participants in the various locations, which are vastly spread out across Australia. Our proposed 18-month time frame will ensure that there is a sufficient amount of time to consult affected communities on the look of the program. It will also ensure the transition of participants in a supported and targeted approach, noting that many people have been part of this program for more than 10 years.