Senate debates

Monday, 21 November 2011

Bills

Social Security Legislation Amendment (Family Participation Measures) Bill 2011; Third Reading

Photo of Jacinta CollinsJacinta Collins (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary for School Education and Workplace Relations) | | Hansard source

I move:

That the bill be now read a third time.

12:19 pm

Photo of Rachel SiewertRachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) | | Hansard source

I do not intend to make a long speech on the third reading; I just want to make the position of the Greens clear. The Greens are opposed to this particular piece of legislation. The amendments just passed make it slightly better. I will not be moving to divide, but I want to make sure that our opposition to this particular bill is recorded.

Photo of Cory BernardiCory Bernardi (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary Assisting the Leader of the Opposition) | | Hansard source

I will make a brief contribution as well. I restate our concerns with this bill, notwithstanding the fact that some of our amendments have been carried. We do not believe that this bill goes far enough. It is a pilot program and we believe that it should be a full program. We believe the penalty regime is virtually non-existent. Having said that, as some amendments have been passed, we will give the government the benefit of the doubt and we will not be calling a division on the passage of this bill.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a third time.