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

Miller-Frost supported the bill as part of the government's commitment to strengthening the social security safety net. Miller-Frost highlighted recent government measures, including indexation of payments, increased Commonwealth rent assistance, and expanded eligibility for parenting payments. Miller-Frost noted that the bill provided legal certainty for advance payments and removed outdated requirements that could cause financial hardship. Miller-Frost argued that the amendments allowed Services Australia to make decisions even while cases were before the Administrative Review Tribunal, saving time and money for individuals.

Steggall welcomed the practical reforms in the bill but argued that they did not address systemic failures in the child support system. Steggall stated that around $2 billion in child support was unpaid, disproportionately affecting women and children, and that the system often penalised payee parents for debts created by non-paying parents. Steggall urged the government to pursue recovery against parents owing child support rather than reducing family tax benefits for recipients. Steggall called for broader legislative changes to prevent coercion and ensure children received owed support, noting that technical repairs were insufficient without systemic overhaul.

Ambihaipahar supported the bill, drawing on experience in employment law and community services to highlight the importance of accurate system administration. Ambihaipahar argued that resolving legacy compliance issues was essential to maintaining trust in the social security safety net. Ambihaipahar noted that the bill was the fifth piece of legislation in two years addressing historical issues in social security and family payment systems. Ambihaipahar emphasised that correct administration prevented unfair debt recovery from vulnerable families.