Matt O'Sullivan (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Finance, Senator Gallagher. Is the minister aware of any authorised deposit-taking institutions—that is, banks—in Australia that have account portability which allow people to change banking institutions and retain the same account and account number?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you. I think this question relates to the debate we had last night in relation to the cashless credit card—am I correct?

An honourable senator: Yes.

I'll have to come back on the detail because it doesn't fall within my portfolio. I am representing the Minister for Financial Services. So I would be able to answer you—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, please resume your seat. Senator O'Sullivan?

Matt O'Sullivan (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is about the finance portfolio. It's about a bank. I haven't asked about anything about the cashless debit card.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator O'Sullivan, that isn't a point of order. Minister?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

If I can just explain: the ministry for finance does not have responsibility for financial services, including ADIs and other financial institutions. They fall under the Treasury portfolio, and we have a specific minister for it—the Minister for Financial Services.

Opposition senators interjecting—

Now, I'm coming in here—and, Senator O'Sullivan, I am very happy to answer your question. I don't have the detail with me. I think it relates to last night's debate, which I was in and out of, around the cashless debit card. If I can get an answer for you—

An opposition senator interjecting—

Well, yes—I'm sorry, but when you're repping about 14 portfolios, you do rely on a bit of paper.

Opposition senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, please resume your seat.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do!

Opposition senators interjecting—

I'm not going to pretend that I'm coming in here—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister—

A government senator: James, you wouldn't understand!

Opposition senators interjecting—

Order! Senator McGrath! Order! Senator Henderson! Order!

Senator Watt! I just called the chamber to order. I don't need you to add to it.

Senator McGrath! Order! Seriously! The minister is answering the question. I could barely—

Honourable senators interjecting—

Order! Just because you don't like what the answer is it does not give you licence to be so disorderly that I have to say order about seven times before I can get the attention of the chamber. Minister, please continue.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I said, I do come into question time with the desire to answer the questions that are asked of me, which is why I'm taking it on notice. I treat this chamber with respect, and I don't want to give an answer that is not correct and mislead the senate. I do take this responsibility seriously. I will come back with an answer based on the advice of the relevant minister, who I am repping in this instance.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator O'Sullivan, first supplementary?

Matt O'Sullivan (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last night Minister Farrell told the Senate that neither the account nor the card number will change when cashless debit card participants are moved from the CDC to the government's new enhanced income management technology. From a financial institution perspective, does the minister concede that, if someone is retaining the same bank account and account number as their old card, they cannot possibly be moving to a different institution or onto a different account?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I was fortunate enough to be in the chamber last evening for this debate. We abolished the cashless debit card program, which was a key election commitment of this government.

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, we did. What I remember from the debate is that you guys fought to the last breath to keep it in place, despite what communities have been asking for.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator O'Sullivan, I am well aware that you are seeking to move a point of order. When the chamber is quiet I will come to you.

Senator Ruston, you've got one of your own senators on his feet.

Matt O'Sullivan (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On relevance: my question asked for a financial institution perspective. The minister is going to the broader issue of the cashless debit card.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister has 31 seconds remaining—

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

With the implementation of the abolition of the cashless debit card, and support for those people who would be on it and moving to other arrangements, we are looking for the smoothest opportunity for them to ensure that the transition is appropriate and that they are supported through it.

We have delivered on our commitment to abolish the cashless debit card, and last night I watched division after division with you lot trying to keep it in place. That's what happened last night, and that's what history will show. We will work with communities to make sure they are supported and treated with respect. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator O'Sullivan, second supplementary?

Matt O'Sullivan (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Will the minister now admit that the government has no intention of abolishing the cashless debit card and has done nothing more than simply change its name?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last night everyone in this place saw what happened. We abolished the cashless debit card program—a program that you introduced, that your own assessments showed was inconclusive—

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! You've asked the question. The minister has the right to be heard in silence.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It was a failed program. The Coalition did not put a cent in the budget past 30 June for support for it.

We, on this side, will work with communities to make sure they have the choice and that those communities receive the funding that is required to keep going a range of important social and community supports, which were set to be cut by you lot—yet another one of these terminating measures where there was nothing in the budget to deal with these substantial support programs. We are fixing all of that and delivering on our election commitment to abolish the cashless debit card.

You were on the wrong side of history last night.