Allegra Spender (Wentworth, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

Too often in this place we talk about laws in the abstract—about frameworks, definitions and administration. But behind every line of law and, in particular, every line of social security law there's a real person, often someone in crisis: a woman leaving an abusive relationship, a single parent trying to rebuild—someone who has done everything right and is still falling through the cracks. That's why today I rise in support of this bill, the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 2) Bill 2025. I do so because, while many of its provisions may be technical, the real-world impacts are really human.

Over the past year I've written to two successive ministers for social services about one particular issue: how the government handles debts raised against victim-survivors of coercive control. Coercive control is a form of abuse that strips people of autonomy, including over their finances. A woman might be forced to sign documents, give false information or relinquish control of her Centrelink account, not by choice but out of fear. Under previous rules, even when Services Australia recognised that abuse had occurred, they often had no legal pathway to waive the resulting debt. It was cruel, it was bureaucratic and it was wrong.

I'm pleased that the government has taken action here and that the legislation takes action to fix that, giving Services Australia the authority to waive debts where false information was provided under coercive control or similar abuse. This change won't make headlines, but for those it effects it could mean everything. It sends a powerful message to victim-survivors: we believe you, we see you and we will not punish you for the harm done to you. I thank the government for listening to advocates, for responding to last year's inquiry into financial abuse and for making this change. This is well supported by many in my electorate, and this change is certainly one I'm very proud to have pushed for.

Another important shift in this legislation is about income apportionment. Again, it's an issue that sounds dry on paper but has a deeply frustrating and unjust impact on people who receive income support. Under the old system, some individuals had their payments reduced due to outdated income rules, even when they no longer had access to that income or it had already been recovered. This caused real stress and hardship. The changes in this bill right that wrong, and I commend the government for correcting it.

I would also like to briefly acknowledge that I'm moving a small amendment to this bill that will focus on improving the family and domestic violence crisis payment. This is a payment designed for moments of real, urgent need, but too many people are missing out on it because they don't tick the right box or they find out too late that they're eligible for it or they're told that their temporary accommodation doesn't qualify as a home. My amendment would extend the claim period, broaden the definition of 'residence' and remove a redundant requirement that makes someone prove that they're establishing a new home. These are all changes aimed at making the payment more accessible, more compassionate and more fit for purpose. This is about making sure that, in a moment of trauma, people are met with help, not hurdles.

We live in a country where the social safety net is a lifeline for millions. That net must be sturdy, it must be just and it must evolve when it falls short. This bill does not overhaul the system, but it does improve it. It strengthens the threads of our safety net. For those few Australians who will be directly impacted by the changes—victim-survivors, single parents, people in crisis—it could be the difference between despair and a path forward. That is why I support the bill, and I commend it to the House.

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