Question Time AU

Bill Debate · Second Reading

Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 1) Bill 2026; Second Reading

House of Representatives · Tuesday 10 February 2026

Continued from Thursday 5 February 2026.

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

At a glance

The debate concerned technical amendments to social security and child support laws, including urgent payment frameworks and income attribution rules. The Shadow Minister for Youth and the Environment, Angie Bell, stated that the Coalition would not oppose the bill but raised significant concerns regarding the removal of caps on urgent payments. Bell argued that while the legislation provided necessary legal clarity, the changes risked increasing financial stress for vulnerable recipients without adequate safeguards. The debate concluded with the opposition putting the government on notice to ensure robust support systems were in place.

Outcome

The debate was adjourned.

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

How the debate unfolded

Continued the debate

Angie Bell (Moncrieff) (Liberal National Party) LNP

Bell argued that the Coalition supported the bill's technical clarifications regarding child support assessments and income attribution rules. However, Bell expressed concern that removing the annual cap on urgent payments could encourage reliance on advance payments rather than addressing underlying financial hardship. Bell highlighted that urgent payments are accessed disproportionately by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and questioned the effectiveness of safeguards against exploitation. Bell called for the government to ensure financial counselling and social work services were accessible to prevent deepening vulnerability.