House of Representatives

Supplementary Explanatory Memorandum

(Circulated by authority of the Treasurer, the Hon. Josh Frydenberg MP)

Chapter 1 Amendments to Schedule 11 to the Coronavirus Economic Response Package Omnibus Bill 2020

Outline of chapter

1.1 This Chapter explains the amendments to Schedule 11 to the Coronavirus Economic Response Package Omnibus Bill 2020 (the Bill).

Context of amendments

1.2 Schedule 11 to the Bill amends the Farm Household Support Act 2014, Social Security Act and the Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Simplifying Income Reporting and Other Measures) Act 2020 to provide additional financial assistance to Australians who are financially impacted by the Coronavirus.

1.3 Schedule 11 to the Bill would have commenced on 27 April 2020.

1.4 The amendments amend the commencement provision for Schedule 11 to the Bill so that the Schedule commences the day after the Act receives Royal Assent.

1.5 The COVID-19 supplement provided for in items 12, 21, 30 and 34 of Schedule 11 to the Bill will commence on 27 April 2020. The amendments amend these items so that the earlier commencement of Schedule 11 to the Bill does not affect the commencement of the COVID-19 supplements.

1.6 The amendments also make consequential amendments to the application provisions in item 40 of Schedule 11 to the Bill.

Amendment 1

1.7 Amendment 1 amends Clause 2 of the Bill to provide that Schedule 11 to the Bill commences the day after the Act receives the Royal Assent.

Amendments 2 and 3

1.8 Amendments 2 and 3 amend item 12 of Schedule 11 to the Bill to provide that, notwithstanding that Schedule 11 to the Bill will commence the day after the Act receives the Royal Assent, the COVID-19 supplement will apply to a person receiving a parenting payment from 27 April 2020.

Amendments 4 and 5

1.9 Amendments 4 and 5 amend item 21 of Schedule 11 to the Bill to provide that, notwithstanding that Schedule 11 to the Bill will commence the day after the Act receives the Royal Assent, the COVID-19 supplement will apply to a person receiving youth allowance who is not undertaking full-time study and is not a new apprentice from 27 April 2020.

Amendments 6 and 7

1.10 Amendments 6 and 7 amend item 30 of Schedule 11 to the Bill to provide that, notwithstanding that Schedule 11 to the Bill will commence the day after the Act receives the Royal Assent, the COVID-19 supplement will apply to a person receiving jobseeker payment from 27 April 2020.

Amendment 8

1.11 Amendment 8 amends item 34 of Schedule 11 to the Bill to provide that, notwithstanding that Schedule 11 to the Bill will commence the day after the Act receives the Royal Assent, the COVID-19 supplement will apply to a person receiving sickness allowance from 27 April 2020.

Amendments 9, 10 and 11

1.12 Amendments 9, 10 and 11 amend item 40 of Schedule 11 to the Bill to omit application provisions relating to when the COVID-19 supplement applies to parenting payment, youth allowance, jobseeker payment and sickness allowance. These application provisions are no longer necessary because the amendments made by amendments 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 expressly provide that the COVID-19 supplement applies from 27 April 2020.