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

It's not incorrect. That is correct.

Senator Thorpe, I listened to you in complete silence. Even though I disagree with a lot of what you said, I listened to you. I think it's appropriate that I should be allowed to respond.

In relation to some of the concerns that have been raised around the use of this type of power, I will deal with a couple of issues. This can only be used if an individual has committed a serious violent or sexual offence and is on the run; they should not receive payment from the government in certain circumstances, and there are caveats on even that. So when the assertion is that this would apply to millions of Australians, that is not correct. It would apply to those who have committed a serious violent or sexual offence and are on the run. When they are no longer on the run—that is, when it is known where they are, and they are in touch with the authorities—that entitlement to that payment continues. So it is specifically for a period of time under very, very strict and specific purposes. This idea that it's going to affect millions of Australians, entire populations of families and people who rely on income support, is completely incorrect.

I don't accept at all the assertion from others that this government does anything other than treat people who are on income support respectfully and indeed have increased payments since coming to government in excess of probably any other government in this time. We have increased single parenting payment. We have increased JobSeeker. There has been significant indexation to all of the pensions.

If I could just speak, please. It is going to be a very, very long bill.