Income Management - Consultation

Question

Senator RUSTON: Thank you-because I'm sure I'd write a number down wrong and come up with some terribly distorted answer. Am I correct that the department has been consulting on the future of income management? Ms McKenzie: That's correct. Senator RUSTON: That consultation period has finished? Ms McKenzie: Yes, that's right. Senator RUSTON: How long ago did it finish? Mr Steen: December 2024. Senator RUSTON: So that's 18 months ago. Minister-sorry, first of all, I'll go to the department: when will the department be reporting on the findings of that? I probably shouldn't bother the minister if it's still in the department. Has the department reported on the findings of that as yet? Ms McKenzie: We're still working through the outcomes of the consultation and the reports in the consideration of work underway on income management. Senator RUSTON: Do you think 18 months is rather a long time to be working through the outcomes of a report? I know that's asking you for an opinion. Ms McKenzie: It is, yes. Senator RUSTON: I was trying to give your defence. When do you think it is likely that we will see the findings of that report? Ms McKenzie: I don't have a response to that, I'm afraid. Senator RUSTON: Minister, you might have an idea of when the government is likely to provide a response to the findings of this report. Senator Ayres: No, I don't, because (a) I literally don't know that and (b) it's a matter for the minister. I know that the report is an input in the government's considerations of this matter, and that's all I can tell you this evening. Senator RUSTON: Okay. Well, maybe we can put that on notice. It would be really great to find out what the minister's intentions are in relation to this report and perhaps get an explanation as to why 18 months later we haven't seen anything or even any indication of when we're likely to see anything. Senator Ayres: I'm very happy to take that on notice, and we'll assist you if we can.

Answer

Please see attached answer.

Documents

• Question with answer (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
• DSS SQ26-000777.pdf (opens in a new tab)