Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I move Australian Greens amendments (1), (3) and (4) on sheet 5101 revised:

(1)    Schedule 1, item 1, page 55 (line 29) to page 56 (line 2), omit subsection 65B(2) and the note, substitute:

        (2)    The parent making the application must provide evidence to the Registrar concerning the parent’s income (within the meaning of subsection 66A(4)) to demonstrate that his or her current income is:

                  (a)    less than the pension PP (single) maximum basic amount; and

                  (b)    that it would be unjust and inequitable to expect him or her to pay the amount assessed under this section.

        (3)    An assessment issued by the Commissioner of Taxation for the last relevant year of income shall not be sufficient evidence of the income of the parent for the purposes of this section.

        (4)    If the parent makes an application, the Registrar may determine in writing that the section not apply to the parent if the parent’s current income (within the meaning of subsection 66A(4)) is less than the pension PP (single) maximum basic amount and it would be unjust and inequitable to expect him or her to pay the amount assessed under this section.

                  (a)    less than the pension PP (single) maximum basic amount; and

                  (b)    that it would be unjust and inequitable to expect him or her to pay the amount assessed under this section.

Note:   If the Registrar refuses to grant an application under this section, the Registrar must serve a notice on the applicant under section 66C.

These amendments relate to the SSAT making just and equitable decisions to child support agreements and tax assessment notices. These are recommendations that Professor Parkinson, who chaired the ministerial task force, made on the bill. I understand that the government will be supporting these amendments.