Senate debates

Thursday, 20 September 2007

Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Legislation Amendment (Further 2007 Budget Measures) Bill 2007

Second Reading

Debate resumed from 16 August, on motion by Senator Brandis:

That this bill be now read a second time.

1:24 pm

Photo of Richard ColbeckRichard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance and Administration) Share this | | Hansard source

The Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Legislation Amendment (Further 2007 Budget Measures) Bill 2007 furthers the government’s commitment to supporting older Australians and families with children, whilst also increasing fairness and support for humanitarian and other entrants into Australia. Older Australians will benefit from changes to the Pension Bonus Scheme and from improvements to the legislative treatment of funeral investments in the context of social security and Veterans’ Affairs payments. Families and children will benefit from extensions to the multiple birth allowance. Lastly, it expands crisis payments to humanitarian entrants and simplifies and improves the operation and integrity of the assurance of support program. I commend the bill to the Senate.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.