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

Based on my earlier remarks, this part of the legislation—benefit restriction notices—will apply to a very narrow subset of individuals who have been charged with one of the offences that I just read out into the Hansard. I am sympathetic to the view that Senator Thorpe puts around concerns about police and First Nations Australians, but I do not agree with her that this particular power—benefit restriction notices—applies in any widespread way, nor is it designed to target a particular demographic of the Australian community. It is a very, very narrow and specific set of circumstances and for a very set period of time.