Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

I know there are a number of steps taken before families affected by stillbirth are eligible for that payment. It includes a number of different pieces of documentation, but that payment, supported by that appropriate documentation, will be paid in those circumstances. It includes, in often quite traumatic circumstances, as you can imagine, evidence of the stillbirth from people who were attending the birth—that is required before the payment is made—associated with other documentation required by Services Australia to make that payment. We accept that, in the case of stillbirth, it is a very traumatic situation for anyone involved in that. I think even applying for that payment at times can be quite traumatic, so we've looked at ways to make sure that that is as seamless as possible. But, like every other payment that's required and provided by Services Australia, those payments are made in accordance with the law and in accordance with guidance and evidence that those payments are appropriate. It's that whether it's JobSeeker, it's a single-parenting payment or it's PPL. In the case of the loss of a baby through pregnancy loss, those payments will be made when that is supported by evidence that's required by Services Australia.