Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Extension of Coronavirus Support) Bill 2020

The majority voted in favour of a motion to disagree with amendment (3), which means the amendment failed. According to Barton MP Linda Burney (Labor), the amendment:

proposes to permanently strike out the minister's ability to exempt people from the liquid assets waiting period. This amendment will remove this part of the bill so that exemptions can still be made. Labor has consistently opposed the reintroduction of the liquid assets waiting period in the midst of a pandemic. The government should not have reinstated the 13-week liquid assets waiting period in September. Most Australians are shocked to find out that, with as little as $5,000 in the bank, people have to wait to receive unemployment support.

Amendment text

(3) Schedule 1, items 39 to 41, page 7 (lines 10 to 15), omit the items.