Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 2) Bill 2025; In Committee

Continued the debate

Allman-Payne moved amendments to insert a six-year time limit on debt recovery into the Family Assistance, Paid Parental Leave, Social Security, and Student Assistance Acts. Allman-Payne argued this implemented recommendation 18.2 of the robodebt royal commission, which stated that social security recipients should not be on a different footing from other debtors. Allman-Payne highlighted that recipients lived in fear of historic debt notices due to the lack of a limitation period. Allman-Payne questioned why the government required more time to implement this recommendation after two years, especially while rushing other legislation through parliament.

Government response

Gallagher stated that the government had acted on 75 per cent of the royal commission's recommendations and accepted all 56 in principle. Gallagher explained that the government was examining how an effective statute of limitations would operate, noting the previous six-year limit was not fully effective. Gallagher argued that the measure required proper design, consultation, and consideration of budget impacts through the formal budget process. Gallagher claimed that the bill's provision to waive small debts and undetermined debts would remove more from the backlog than reinstating the old limitation period.