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

I think I used the words 'eligibility for the payment' when I was talking, I think with Senator Shoebridge. An individual in this set of circumstances, once the benefit restriction notice had ended in that they were in touch with the authorities and there was no outstanding warrant, would be eligible to reapply for that payment. That's core work for Services Australia.

I will just touch on a couple of other issues that Senator Pocock touched on in moving his amendment. We won't be supporting the amendment, and that's because everything that Senator Pocock seeks, notwithstanding his general opposition to schedule 5, is covered in the bill. Before the minister makes a determination, the Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs must seek advice from Services Australia, and, in seeking that advice, would identify any dependants. I can't think of a situation where someone on an income support payment—that it wouldn't be known to Services Australia that there were dependants. That would be part of the eligibility to get on the payment in the first place, because dependants are a critical factor to consider about what the payment type is and the level of the payment.