Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Responding to Robodebt) Bill 2025

Stage by Stage

Summaries in reported speech - not a transcript. In date order, both chambers.

1. Monday 25 August 2025 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   Independent members Andrew Wilkie and Helen Haines moved and seconded the bill to address outstanding recommendations from the royal commission into robodebt. They argued that legislative reform was necessary to prevent the recurrence of automated debt recovery errors and to ensure social security recipients were treated with dignity. The bill introduces new duties for Services Australia, mandates human oversight for significant automated decisions, and reinstates a six-year limit on debt recovery. Both speakers emphasised that current administrative practices still caused harm to vulnerable Australians and that the government had failed to enact sufficient safeguards.

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2. Tuesday 26 August 2025 · Senate

   First Reading
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3. Tuesday 26 August 2025 · Senate

   Second Reading

   Senator Penny Allman-Payne moved the second reading of the bill, which aims to implement unacted-upon recommendations from the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme. The legislation proposes reinstating a six-year limit on social security debt recovery, establishing a duty of care for Services Australia, and restricting automated decision-making. Senator Allman-Payne argued that the government had failed to adequately address the legacy of Robodebt and that these reforms were necessary to protect vulnerable income support recipients. The debate was adjourned with leave granted for the senator to continue remarks later.

   Outcome: Debate adjourned with leave granted for Senator Allman-Payne to continue remarks later.

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