Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications and the Arts) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That this bill may proceed without formalities and be now read a first time.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a first time.

Jane Hume (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question now is that the amendments on sheet 8666 circulated by the opposition be agreed to.

Opposition's circulated amendments—

(1) Schedule 1, page 3 (after line 6), after item 1, insert:

1A Subsection 124PD ( 1 )

  Insert:

  health or community worker means a person who carries on, and is entitled to carry on, an occupation that involves the provision of care for the physical or mental health of people or for their wellbeing.

(2) Schedule 1, page 3 (after line 9), at the end of the Schedule, add:

3 After paragraph 124PG ( 1 ) (h)

  Insert:

  (ha) section 124PHA does not apply to the person; and

4 After paragraph 124PGA ( 1 ) (h)

  Insert:

  (ha) section 124PHA does not apply to the person; and

5 After paragraph 124PGB ( 1 ) (h)

  Insert:

  (ha) section 124PHA does not apply to the person; and

6 After paragraph 124PGC ( 1 ) (g)

  Insert:

  (ga) section 124PHA does not apply to the person; and

7 At the end of Division 2 of Part 3D

  Add:

Subdivision C—Exiting cashless welfare arrangements

124PHA Participants who responsibly manage their financial affairs

Application of this section

  (1) This section applies to a person if:

(a) all of the following apply:

     (i) the person's usual place of residence is within a trial area where the Minister has authorised a body as a community body;

     (ii) the person applies to their local community body to exit the trial of cashless welfare arrangements;

     (iii) the person's local community body is satisfied that the person satisfies the criteria mentioned in subsection (2);

     (iv) the community body notifies the Secretary in writing that it is so satisfied; or

(b) all of the following apply:

     (i) the person's usual place of residence is not within a trial area where the Minister has authorised a body as a community body;

     (ii) the person applies to the Secretary to exit the trial of cashless welfare arrangements;

     (iii) the Secretary is satisfied that the person satisfies the criteria mentioned in subsection (2).

Note: Subsection (4) sets out when this section ceases to apply to a person.

Criteria

  (2) The criteria for the purposes of subparagraphs (1)(a)(iii) and (b)(iii) are:

(a) that the person can demonstrate reasonable and responsible management of their financial affairs, taking in to account all of the following:

     (i) the interest of any children for whom the person is responsible;

     (ii) whether the person has a likelihood of engaging in any unlawful activity;

     (iii) risks of homelessness;

     (iv) the health and safety of the person and the community;

     (v) the responsibilities and circumstances of the person;

     (vi) the person's engagement in the community, including the person's employment or efforts to obtain work; and

(b) any further criteria that the Minister determines, by legislative instrument, for the purposes of this subsection.

  (3) Before the Minister makes a determination under paragraph (2)(b), the Minister must:

(a) consult with local communities and trial participants; and

(b) have regard to any feedback received as a result of those consultations.

When this section ceases to apply

  (4) This section ceases to apply to a person if a health or community worker notifies the Secretary in writing that he or she has determined that it is necessary for a person to be a trial participant for medical or safety reasons.

  (5) To avoid doubt, the fact that this section ceases to apply to a person following a notification under subsection (4) does not prevent that person from again applying to exit the trial of cashless welfare arrangements.

Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Families and Communities) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to move the amendments to opposition amendments on sheet 8682 as circulated in the chamber.

Leave granted.

I move the amendments:

(1) Amendment (2), item 7, subparagraph 124PHA(1) (a) (ii), after "local community body", insert "on or after 1 July 2019".

[exiting cashless welfare arrangements]

(2) Amendment (2), item 7, subparagraph 124PHA(1) (b) (ii), after "the Secretary", insert "on or after 1 July 2019".

[exiting cashless welfare arrangements]

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

As far as I'm aware, I just heard Senator Fifield—I'm sorry if I've missed it—move that this be read a first time. It has not been read a second time. You didn't put the second reading question.

Jane Hume (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Siewert, a second reading is not required, because the bill is under a guillotine. It wasn't required, because debate is guillotined. The question is that the amendments to the amendments be agreed to.

Question agreed to.

The question now is that the amendments, as amended, be agreed to.

Question agreed to.