The highly contested Schedule 5 amendment to the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No.2) Bill 2025 (the Bill) has this morning taken up the majority of discussion in Senate.
During questioning about the legitimacy of the amendment, the debate included discussions about whether any organisations were consulted about Schedule 5. Led by Senators Penny Allman-Payne and Lidia Thorpe, Senator Katy Gallagher was asked whether any organisations were consulted. Comments made could have been heard as suggesting consultations did take place.
Both EJA and ACOSS would like to make clear that we were at no point consulted on the Schedule 5 amendment.
EJA and ACOSS confirm that, from the first notification from the Government about the proposed Schedule 5, both organisations have made clear we oppose the Schedule 5 amendment.
Subsequent to learning of the addition of Schedule 5 to the Bill, both organisations have put out strong statements opposing it. Each organisation has urged Parliament to reject Schedule 5.
We continue to urge all parliamentarians to reject Schedule 5 in its entirety.
Our statements are linked below for reference.
- ACOSS and EJA joint statement: Laws to cancel social security payments must be scrapped
- Media Release: EJA strongly opposes legislative amendment that would erode principles of justice for people on social security
- ACOSS calls for removal of new powers to withhold income support
