Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would like to add some additional information to the answer I provided to Senator Liddle on the topic of income management. While income management legislation in the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 does not sunset, it operates through a number of legislative instruments that sunset every 10 years. These instruments enable income management to operate in specific locations and/or income management measures. Six of these legislative instruments were due to sunset on 1 October 2022. I think that is what you were referring to.

In order for the government to consult effectively with communities on the future of income management, the Attorney-General has agreed to the deferral of the six instruments for a period of 12 months. Our consultation with communities will then direct the future of income management. Product-level blocking technology will be maintained under our government's plan to support participants and merchants under the enhanced income management program. It will reduce the stigma associated with the business card under the current income management program.