Supplementary Explanatory Memorandum
(Circulated by the authority of the Minister for Social Services, the Hon Christian Porter MP)OUTLINE
Amendments to be moved on behalf of the Government to Schedules 10, 12 and 16 of the Social Services Legislation Amendment (Welfare Reform) Bill 2017.
Schedule 10 - Start date for some participation payments
The amendments to Schedule 10 of the Bill will ensure that the Ordinary Waiting Period will apply in the same way to job seekers who are subject to RapidConnect and to job seekers who are not subject to RapidConnect.
Schedule 12 - Establishment of a drug testing trial
The amendments to Schedule 12 of the Bill clarify that newstart allowance or youth allowance (other) recipients who move into a drug test trial after commencement of the drug testing trial measure may be selected for drug testing.
The amendments will also clarify the Secretary's obligation with respect to whether a person is subject to income management if there is a risk to the person's mental, physical or emotional wellbeing.
Schedule 16 - Streamlining Tax File Number Collection
The amendments to Schedule 16 will allow the request for tax file number provisions in the social security law to apply to a relevant third-party as part of a person's claim for a social security payment, and to an income-tested health care card. The amendments will also allow the use of tax file numbers to verify qualification for the seniors health card and an income-tested health care card.
FINANCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT
These amendments will not alter the financial impact of the Bill.
STATEMENT OF COMPATIBILITY WITH HUMAN RIGHTS
The statement of compatibility with human rights appears at the end of this supplementary explanatory memorandum.