[no bill text published] Human review requirements for automated social security and assistance decisions
Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Responding to Robodebt) Bill 2025 [No. 2]
Private Member's Bill1st House
2nd House
Law
Introduced by: Penny Allman-Payne (GRN)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Secretary must ensure a human reviews automated decisions before they take effect; this applies to payment cancellations, debts over $2,000, and garnishee requests.
The Secretary must notify people in writing if a decision was automated; the notice must explain how to seek a review.
The Secretary must waive any part of a debt caused solely by a Commonwealth administrative error.
The Commonwealth cannot start legal action to recover a debt if six years have passed since the overpayment.
Debt waivers for family violence now require that a person acted 'knowingly and willingly'; acting under duress or domestic violence means they did not act willingly.
The Secretary must use plain language and avoid stigmatising words; they must consider the needs of disadvantaged groups and people in remote areas.
The Minister must order an independent review of social security compliance activity every 12 months; the report must be tabled in Parliament.