Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 2) Bill 2026

Stage by Stage

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

1. Monday 17 August 2026 · House of Representatives

   Reference to Federation Chamber
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2. Monday 17 August 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate concerned a bill introducing technical amendments to social security, child support, and family assistance laws. Melissa McIntosh supported the legislation, noting it would automate advance payment applications and use pre-issue income data to improve assessment accuracy. She raised concerns about potential discrepancies between pre-issue data and final tax assessments. McIntosh also highlighted record-high child support debts and urged stronger government enforcement. The debate concluded with the adjournment of discussion.

   Outcome: The debate was adjourned.

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3. Thursday 20 August 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The House of Representatives debated the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 2) Bill 2026, which addresses legacy legal and compliance issues in social security, family assistance, and child support systems. Speakers from the Labor Party, National Party, and an Independent supported the bill, citing improvements to advance payments, debt recovery fairness, and the use of pre-issue income data. While the technical amendments were welcomed, concerns were raised regarding the broader systemic failures in child support enforcement and the potential for provisional income data to create unfair debts for single parents. The debate concluded with the adjournment of proceedings before a final vote was recorded.

   Outcome: The debate was adjourned before the bill was passed.

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4. Tuesday 8 September 2026 · House of Representatives

   Consideration in Detail

   The Minister for Social Services moved a government amendment to clarify child care subsidy funding agreements. The amendment updated the A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 to specify that agreements could be with persons, entities, or bodies, including partnerships. It also established requirements for who must enter into these agreements and compliance obligations. The House agreed to the amendment and passed the bill.

   Outcome: The bill, as amended, was agreed to and reported to the House with an amendment.

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5. Tuesday 8 September 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate focused on technical amendments to social security, family assistance, and child support legislation. Government members argued the bill modernises administrative processes, improves review rights, and ensures legislative clarity for advance payments and income data usage. Independent member Kate Chaney opposed the bill's automation provisions without a mandatory regulatory framework, moving an amendment that was not carried. The bill was supported by the government as part of broader efforts to restore trust and fairness in the social safety net.

   Outcome: The second reading amendment moved by Kate Chaney was not carried, and the bill proceeded.

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6. Wednesday 9 September 2026 · House of Representatives

   Report from Federation Chamber
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7. Wednesday 9 September 2026 · House of Representatives

   Third Reading
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8. Monday 14 September 2026 · Senate

   First Reading
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9. Monday 14 September 2026 · Senate

   Second Reading

   The Minister for Industry and Innovation introduced two bills to the Senate, seeking leave to incorporate the second reading speech into the record. The first bill addressed technical compliance issues in social security and child support systems, while the second established a universal outdoor mobile coverage obligation. The Minister outlined recent government achievements in social security and the rationale for the new telecommunications framework. The debate was adjourned, and the bills were listed as separate orders of the day.

   Outcome: The debate was adjourned and the bills were ordered to be listed on the Notice Paper as separate orders of the day.

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