Opened the debate
Rishworth moved the second reading of the bill, stating it would amend the Social Security Act 1991 to maintain existing payment rates for youth disability support pension recipients. The Minister explained that a drafting error in the 2005 Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment Act had unintentionally impacted DSP rates for those under 21. Rishworth argued that the bill corrects this by reinstating higher payments for independent youth or those living away from home, reflecting greater need. The Minister warned that failing to pass the bill would create a distinction where studying youth received lower support, creating a perverse incentive to stop studying. Rishworth concluded that the bill aligns with Australia's Disability Strategy by supporting education and validates past rate decisions.