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Wednesday, 22 June 2011
Page: 6946

Ms MACKLIN (Jagajaga—Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs) (17:25): I move:

That the amendments be agreed to.

The Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Other Legislation Amendment (Further Election Commitments and Other Measures) Bill 2011 delivers on three election commitments: firstly, impr­oving family tax benefit advance payment arrangements; secondly, implementing the government's Healthy Start measure to make sure children are healthy, fit and ready to learn when they start school; and, thirdly, improving the accuracy of child support assessments. This bill was previously passed by this House, but this morning the Senate also passed the bill, along with government amendments. The bill in its amended form is now before the House for its consideration.

The government's amendments withdraw schedule 4 from the original bill. Schedule 4 contains an initiative that, when imple­mented, will streamline the process of compensation payers notifying Centrelink directly when payments are made by compensation payers and insurers. We have worked constructively through the issues raised by the insurance sector to make sure that this initiative can be implemented as intended. These amendments will allow for some outstanding issues to be finalised with the sector before the measure is reintroduced to the parliament. We remain committed to the initiative. Once implemented it will help ensure that people are paid their correct Centrelink entitlements and avoid debts and overpayments. I commend the bill to the House in its amended form.