Question Time AU

Bill Debate · Consideration of Senate Message

Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 2) Bill 2025; Consideration of Senate Message

House of Representatives · Wednesday 26 November 2025

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

The Minister for Social Services moved that the Senate amendments be considered and agreed to immediately. Plibersek explained that the amendments aligned the small debt waiver regime across key legislation and set a new threshold for automatic waivers. She highlighted broader reforms including the income apportionment resolution scheme and expanded debt waivers for domestic violence victims. The House agreed to the amendments without further debate.

Outcome

The question was agreed to.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Tanya Plibersek (Sydney) (Australian Labor Party) ALP

Plibersek moved that the Senate amendments be considered immediately and then agreed to. Plibersek stated that the government supported the changes, which ensured consistent application of the small debt waiver regime under the Social Security Act 1991 and the Student Assistance Act 1973. The amendments provided for automatic waiving of debts below a new threshold of $250 before formal raising by Services Australia. Plibersek also noted that the bill established the income apportionment resolution scheme and expanded special circumstances debt waivers for victims-survivors of domestic violence involving financial abuse. Plibersek commended the bill to the House.

Government response

Tanya Plibersek (Minister for Social Services) ALP Sydney

Plibersek moved that the Senate amendments be considered immediately and then agreed to. Plibersek stated that the government supported the changes, which ensured consistent application of the small debt waiver regime under the Social Security Act 1991 and the Student Assistance Act 1973. The amendments provided for automatic waiving of debts below a new threshold of $250 before formal raising by Services Australia. Plibersek also noted that the bill established the income apportionment resolution scheme and expanded special circumstances debt waivers for victims-survivors of domestic violence involving financial abuse. Plibersek commended the bill to the House.