Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Cashless Welfare) Bill 2019

The majority voted against a motion introduced by Barton MP Linda Burney (Labor), which means it failed. The motion would have amended the usual second reading motion That this bill be now read a second time, which is parliamentary jargon for agreeing with the main idea of the bill.

Motion text

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

"whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading, the House calls on the Government to:

(1) present in Parliament by the end of 2019:

(a) a report making clear whether or not there is continuing community support in each of the trial sites for the cashless debit card program; and

(b) a wraparound services plan explaining how the Government has boosted community services in each of the trial sites and what increased investment in services will be made in the future; and

(2) make participation in the cashless debit card program voluntary from 30 January 2020, unless there is clear local community support and consent for the operation of the program".