Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 2) Bill 2025; Order for the Production of Documents

Opened the debate

Payman moved that the Minister representing the Minister for Social Services table specific documents by 5 pm on 11 December 2025. The request included ministerial submissions, briefing notes, emails, and other communications between the Minister for Social Services and the Department of Social Services. These documents related to the development of amendments introducing benefit restriction notices into the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 2) Bill 2025. Payman also sought a document explaining why these amendments were not included when the bill was first introduced.

Government response

Walsh stated that the government would not support the motion, citing an increasingly inappropriate use of orders for the production of documents in the 48th Parliament. Walsh argued that the scope of the request was excessively large and amounted to a fishing expedition rather than seeking specific documents. The minister noted that the number of such orders had doubled since the 2022 election, with the Senate agreeing to an average of four per sitting day. Walsh encouraged Payman to narrow the scope of the order.