Bill
Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Continuation of Cashless Welfare) Bill 2020
passed, as at 2020-12-17. Social Services portfolio.
- Sponsor
- Not recorded
- Portfolio
- Social Services
Recorded stages
- introduced — 2020-10-08
- second reading — 2020-10-08
- second reading — 2020-11-12
- second reading — 2020-12-02
- second reading — 2020-12-07
- second reading — 2020-12-07
- committee — 2020-12-07
- third reading — 2020-12-07
- introduced — 2020-12-08
- second reading — 2020-12-08
- second reading — 2020-12-08
- second reading — 2020-12-09
- second reading — 2020-12-09
- committee — 2020-12-09
- third reading — 2020-12-09
- other — 2020-12-10
- passed — 2020-12-10
- royal assent — 2020-12-17
Divisions
- The majority voted in favour of keeping the usual second reading motion unchanged. The usual second reading motion is "*that the bill be [read a second time](https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/how-parliament-works/bills-and-laws/making-a-law-in-the-australian-parliament/)*," which is parliamentary jargon for agreeing with the main idea of the bill. This division took place after the MP for Barton [Linda Burney](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/representatives/barton/linda_burney) (Labor) proposed an amendment to the usual second reading motion. ### Amendment text > *That all words after "That" be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:* > > *"the House declines to give the bill a second reading and:* > > *(1) notes that:* > >> *(a) thirteen years after the Howard Government's so-called Intervention in the Northern Territory, there is no evidence that compulsory, broad-based income management works;* >> >> *(b) the Minister decided to make the Cashless Debit Card trial permanent before reading the independent review by Adelaide University; and* >> >> *(c) this proposal is racially discriminatory, as approximately 68 per cent of the people impacted are First Nations Australians; and* > > *(2) calls on the Government to:* > >> *(a) not roll out the Cashless Debit Card nationally; and* >> >> *(b) invest in evidence-based policies, job creation and services, rather than ideological policies like the Cashless Debit Card"* ### What does the bill do? The [bill was introduced](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2021a/21bd033) "*to establish the [Cashless Debit Card](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cashless_Welfare_Card) (CDC) as an ongoing program rather than a time-limited trial*". The CDC program is controversial for many reasons, not least the [limited evidence](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-16/little-data-cashless-debit-card-effective-unisa-researcher-says/12887258) that it is benefiting the communities — 2020-12-07, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 65, noes 59
- Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Continuation of Cashless Welfare) Bill 2020 - Second Reading - Agree with bill's main idea — 2020-12-07, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 63, noes 58
- Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Continuation of Cashless Welfare) Bill 2020 - Third Reading - Pass the bill — 2020-12-07, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 63, noes 61
- The majority voted in favour of a [motion](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?id=2020-12-08.15.2): > *that the [Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Continuation of Cashless Welfare) Bill 2020](https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query%3DId%3A%22legislation%2Fbillhome%2Fr6608%22) be included with the other bills exempt from the cut-off order.* In other words, they wanted to suspend the usual procedural rules - known as [standing orders](https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/how-parliament-works/parliament-at-work/standing-orders/) - so that they can consider the Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Continuation of Cashless Welfare) Bill 2020 during this sitting period. — 2020-12-08, Senate: affirmative, ayes 32, noes 29
- The majority voted in favour of a [motion](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?gid=2020-12-09.158.1) introduced by South Australian Senator [Simon Birmingham](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/senate/sa/simon_birmingham) (Liberal), which means it passed. ### Motion text > *That today:* > > *(a) the hours of meeting be 9.30 am to adjournment;* > > *(b) if, by 7.20 pm, the [Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Continuation of Cashless Welfare) Bill 2020](https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query%3DId%3A%22legislation%2Fbillhome%2Fr6608%22) has not been finally considered, the routine of business from that time be consideration of the bill only;* > > *(c) if, by midnight, consideration of the bill has not been completed, the questions on all remaining stages be put without debate;* > > *(d) paragraph (c) operate as a limitation of debate under standing order 142;* > > *(e) divisions may take place after 7.20 pm for the purposes of the bill only; and* > > *(f) the Senate adjourn without debate after the consideration of the bill, or when the adjournment is proposed by a minister, whichever is earlier.* — 2020-12-09, Senate: affirmative, ayes 31, noes 29
- Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Continuation of Cashless Welfare) Bill 2020 - Second Reading - Withdraw the bill — 2020-12-09, Senate: negative, ayes 28, noes 32
- The majority voted against a [motion](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?gid=2020-12-09.199.1) moved by WA Senator [Rachel Siewert](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/senate/wa/rachel_siewert) (Greens), which means it failed. ### Motion text > *At the end of the motion, add ", but the Senate:* > > *(a) notes that:* > >> *(i) this bill will entrench the racist, discriminatory, paternalistic, ineffective, top-down, blanket approach of compulsory income management via the Cashless Debit Card,* >> >> *(ii) the Government did not consult with First Nations peoples in the Northern Territory about the introduction of the Cashless Debit Card or the continuation of compulsory income management, and* >> >> *(iii) the Government failed to consult with people currently on the Cashless Debit Card about making it permanent; and* > > *(b) calls on the Government to:* > >> *(i) abandon all forms of compulsory income management currently operating in Australia,* >> >> *(ii) carry out extensive consultation around Australia for any move to make income management voluntary and ensure that any new program is co-designed, and* >> >> *(iii) immediately release the second impact evaluation being undertaken by the University of Adelaide".* ### What does this bill do? The [bill was introduced](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2021a/21bd033) "*to establish the [Cashless Debit Card](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cashless_Welfare_Card) (CDC) as an ongoing program rather than a time-limited trial*". The CDC program is controversial for many reasons, not least the [limited evidence](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-16/little-data-cashless-debit-card-effective-unisa-researcher-says/12887258) that it is benefiting the communities where it is currently in operation. Read more about the program and what the bill does in the [bills digest](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2021a/21bd033). — 2020-12-09, Senate: negative, ayes 27, noes 31
- The majority voted in favour of an [amendment](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?gid=2020-12-09.201.1) to the usual second reading motion, which is "*that the bill be read a [second time](https://www.peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/how-parliament-works/bills-and-laws/making-a-law-in-the-australian-parliament/)*" (parliamentary jargon for agreeing with the main idea of the bill). It was introduced by SA Senator [Rex Patrick](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/senate/sa/rex_patrick) (Independent). Note that, while this amendment was successful, it doesn't make any changes to the bill itself. ### Amendment text > *At the end of the motion, add ", but the Senate calls on the Government to provide a commitment that no recipient of the Age Pension or a Veteran or Service Pension will be placed on the Cashless Debit Card, with the exception of those who volunteer or are referred by the Family Responsibility Commission, child protection workers, social workers or the Alcohol Mandatory Treatment Tribunal in the Northern Territory".* ### What does this bill do? The [bill was introduced](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2021a/21bd033) "*to establish the [Cashless Debit Card](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cashless_Welfare_Card) (CDC) as an ongoing program rather than a time-limited trial*". The CDC program is controversial for many reasons, not least the [limited evidence](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-16/little-data-cashless-debit-card-effective-unisa-researcher-says/12887258) that it is benefiting the communities where it is currently in operation. Read more about the program and what the bill does in the [bills digest](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2021a/21bd033). — 2020-12-09, Senate: affirmative, ayes 33, noes 27
- Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Continuation of Cashless Welfare) Bill 2020 - Second Reading - Agree with the bill's main idea — 2020-12-09, Senate: affirmative, ayes 31, noes 29
- The majority voted against keeping [items (3) and (4)](https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;db=LEGISLATION;id=legislation%2Fbills%2Fr6608_first-reps%2F0001;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fbills%2Fr6608_first-reps%2F0000%22;rec=0) of schedule 1 unchanged, which means they will be removed from the bill. This division occurred after SA Senator [Anne Ruston](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/senate/sa/anne_ruston) (Liberal) [proposed](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?gid=2020-12-09.205.2) that they be opposed. ### Text of Items (3) and (4) > *3 At the end of section 123UCB* > > *Add:* > >> *(5) A person is not subject to the income management regime under this section on or after the day this subsection commences unless the person was subject to the income management regime under this section on the day before that day.* > > *4 At the end of section 123UCC* > > *Add:* > >> *(5) A person is not subject to the income management regime under this section on or after the day this subsection commences unless the person was subject to the income management regime under this section on the day before that day.* ### More about the bill The [bill was introduced](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2021a/21bd033) "*to establish the [Cashless Debit Card](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cashless_Welfare_Card) (CDC) as an ongoing program rather than a time-limited trial*". The CDC program is controversial for many reasons, not least the [limited evidence](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-16/little-data-cashless-debit-card-effective-unisa-researcher-says/12887258) that it is benefiting the communities where it is currently in operation. Read more about the program and what the bill does in the [bills digest](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2021a/21bd033). — 2020-12-09, Senate: negative, ayes 32, noes 35
- The majority voted to agree to amendments (2) to (8) on [sheet TK264](https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id:legislation/billhome/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Famend%2Fr6608_amend_60487791-2493-41f8-a738-959f69574fc2%22;rec=0) and (1) and (2) on [sheet TK265](https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id:legislation/billhome/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Famend%2Fr6608_amend_e38ce0fa-ec79-4add-9a72-3bb70eaef46a%22;rec=0), which means they succeeded. These amendments related to income management in the Northern Territory. SA Senator [Anne Ruston](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/senate/sa/anne_ruston) (Liberal) [explained that](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?gid=2020-12-09.205.7): > *This amendment seeks to make the transition from the income management scheme in the Northern Territory, from the BasicsCard to the cashless debit card, a voluntary scheme. It will allow those people who are currently on the BasicsCard in the Northern Territory who wish to transition to the cashless debit card to do so as a voluntary scheme. If they choose to remain on the BasicsCard they will also be able to do that.* Though SA Senator [Penny Wong](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/senate/sa/penny_wong) (Labor) [argued that](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?gid=2020-12-09.206.1): > *I just want to take issue with one of the things the minister said, because she asserted that this would somehow make this all voluntary. Well, it won't. The amendment will effectively make it a Hobson's choice between a grey card and a green card. So Labor isn't supporting the government's amendment, because it isn't making income management voluntary. What it is doing is simply providing a choice of a different coloured piece of plastic.* ### More about the bill The [bill was introduced](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2021a/21bd033) "*to establish the [Cashless Debi — 2020-12-09, Senate: affirmative, ayes 35, noes 32
- The majority voted against amendments (4) and (5) on [sheet 1171](https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id:legislation/billhome/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Famend%2Fr6608_amend_6a1eefb7-d64d-454b-be9d-b164487d4edc%22;rec=0), which were introduced by SA Senator [Rex Patrick](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/senate/sa/rex_patrick) (Independent). This means they failed. ### Amendment text > *(4) Schedule 1, page 23 (after line 13), after item 92, insert:* > > *92A Paragraph 124PJ(4)(a)* > > *Repeal the pargraph, substitute* > >> *(a) the Secretary is satisfied that the person is unable to use the person’s debit card that was issued to the person and that is attached to the person’s welfare restricted bank account, or is unable to access that account, as a direct result of:* >> >>> *(i) a technological fault or malfunction with that card or account; or* >>> >>> *(ii) a power or communications outage; or* >>> >>> *(iii) a natural disaster; or* >>> >>> *(iv) if a national emergency declaration (within the meaning of the National Emergency Declaration Act 2020 ) is in force—an emergency to which the declaration relates; or* > > *(5) Schedule 1, page 23 (before line 14), before item 93, insert:* > > *92B At the end of Subdivision B of Division 3 of Part 3D* > > *Add:* > > *124PMA Transfer of funds from welfare restricted bank account* > >> *(1) For a person who is a program participant or voluntary participant, the Secretary may make a determination that the person is permitted to transfer a specified amount from the person’s welfare restricted bank account to another bank account.* >> >> *(2) The Secretary may make a determination under subsection (1) only if the Secretary is satisfied that the person is unable to use the person’s debit card that was issued to the person and that is attached to the person’s welfare restricted bank account as a direct result of a matter covered by paragraph 124PJ(4)(a).* >> >> *(3) A determinat — 2020-12-09, Senate: negative, ayes 33, noes 34
- Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Continuation of Cashless Welfare) Bill 2020 - in Committee - Keep items unchanged — 2020-12-09, Senate: affirmative, ayes 34, noes 33
- Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Continuation of Cashless Welfare) Bill 2020 - Third Reading - Pass the bill — 2020-12-09, Senate: affirmative, ayes 34, noes 33
Plain-language summary
Written by a model from the explanatory memorandum; not the record, as at 2020-10-08.
The bill would make the Cashless Debit Card an ongoing program instead of a trial.
It would also bring people in the Northern Territory and Cape York who are on Income Management onto the Cashless Debit Card and let people in Bundaberg and Hervey Bay volunteer for the program.
The bill would extend the program's sunset date to 31 December 2021.
- Removes trial parameters to make the Cashless Debit Card a permanent program.
- Transitions Income Management participants in the Northern Territory and Cape York to the Cashless Debit Card.
- Lets people in Bundaberg and Hervey Bay volunteer for the program.
- Allows voluntary participants to stay in the program even if they leave a program area.
- Enables the Secretary to issue and revoke participant notices.
- Extends the sunset to 31 December 2021.
People receiving welfare payments in certain areas, including those in the Northern Territory, Cape York, Bundaberg and Hervey Bay, and voluntary participants.
Sources
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