Social Services Secretary Can Block Urgent Social Security Payments; Child Support Income Checks Can Use Later Dates
Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 1) Bill 2026
House of Representatives
Senate
Assent
Topics
child support employment income government spending public finance social security urgent financial aid welfare payments
Introduced by: The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP (ALP)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Debate
What different members said when this bill was debated:
Tanya Plibersek ALP
“I move: That the bill be now read a second time. Since the Albanese Labor government was first elected, we have been hard at work restoring trust in Australia’s social security system. This is one of the critical tasks of government, because, without the trust of the Australian taxpayer and income support recipients, the social security system loses legitimacy in the eyes of the community.”
Ms BELL
“I rise today to speak on the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 1) Bill 2026. The opposition will not oppose the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 1) Bill 2026 in the House of Representatives. However, we do hold concerns on some aspects of the bill before us today.”
Anthony Chisholm ALP
“I table a revised explanatory memorandum relating to the Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 2) Bill 2026 and move: That these bills be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speeches incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The speech es read as follows— AUSTRALIAN SECURITY INTELLIGENCE ORGANISATION AMENDMENT BILL (NO.”
Anne Ruston LIB
“I rise today to speak to the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 1) Bill 2026. The opposition will not oppose the bill. However, we do hold concerns on some aspects of the bill which is before us today. The coalition has always taken the view that Australia must maintain a strong, fair and sustainable social security system as a safety net for all Australians.”
Dorinda Cox ALP
“I rise to provide my support to the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 1) Bill 2026. Since the Albanese Labor government was first elected, we’ve been working to restore trust in Australia’s social security system, and that trust matters. Without it, the system loses its legitimacy both for taxpayers and for recipients—and also for the broader community.”
“I rise today to speak to the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 1) Bill 2026. The Greens will support the measures in this bill that align current practice with legislation, but let me be direct about what this bill represents. It’s a government finally and belatedly legislating to make lawful what has for years been conducted without legal basis.”
Wendy Askew LIB
“I rise today to speak in support of the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 1) Bill 2026. The coalition understands the integral role of Australia’s Child Support Scheme. That is why, during our years in government, we strengthened and supported the scheme to ensure it delivered for some of Australia’s most vulnerable: our children.”
Katy Gallagher ALP
“I commend the bill to the Senate and thank senators for their contributions. The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT ( Senator Sharma ): The question is that the second reading amendment as moved by Senator Allman-Payne be agreed to.”