Social Services Legislation Amendment (Welfare Reform) Bill 2017

The majority voted against a motion to disagree with the bill. In parliamentary jargon, they voted against a motion to decline to give the bill a second reading.

The motion was introduced by Labor MP for Jagajaga Jenny Macklin.

Motion text

That all the words after "That" be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:

"the House:

(1) declines to give the bill a second reading because it is a cynical attempt by this Government to distract from its political problems; and

(2) calls on the Government to:

(a) drop their costly and unproven drug testing trial of social security recipients that medical experts say won't work;

(b) listen to medical and health experts by implementing proven ways to assist people battling drug addiction by investing in treatment and rehabilitation services; and

(c) stop demonising vulnerable Australians who rely on our social security system".

What does this bill do?

The main purpose of this bill is to:

• create a single job seeker payment
• establish a drug testing trial; and
• remove existing exemptions for jobseekers experiencing drug or alcohol dependence.

Read more in the bills digest.