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

Thank you again, Senator Pocock, for your question. My assistants here are on the ball with every question. Under the bill, and particularly the amendments, it's our intention to deliver a long-term plan to ensure certainty, choice and the support of communities moving to 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 the ability to manage their money disbursements and the ability to buy essential goods and services. We will continue consultation over the next 18 months to ensure that the 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 assessing the large numbers of participants in 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.