Jan McLucas (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Mental Health) Share this | Hansard source

I will not take a lot of the committee's time, but I have to put on the record that, in government, we have been strong supporters of the Cape York welfare reform trials. To respond to Senator Siewert's comments, I think there certainly is evidence that we are achieving the objectives of these trials—that is, improving school attendance, restoring local authority, supporting families and, particularly, encouraging parental responsibility and leadership as a part of those reforms.

The Family Resources Commission is central to the delivery of this trial. It has connected with many, many families in Aurukun, Hope Vale, Mossman Gorge and Coen. We are seeing behavioural change. That was the intention of the trial. For that reason Labor will be supporting the government's extension to the dates. That is, essentially, all this schedule does.

The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: The question is that schedule 2 stand as printed.

Question agreed to.