Senator NEWMAN (Minister for Social Security and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women)(3.24 p.m.) —I move the following amendment to the motion:

"but, in respect of the Social Security Legislation Amendment (Work for the Dole) Bill 1997, the bill be referred to the Employment, Education and Training Legislation Committee for report on 14 May 1997".

A reporting date of 23 June would leave very little time for debate in the budget sittings because it is the Monday of the final week of the budget sittings, which, as senators would realise, will be a very difficult time for us all. A date prior to the budget would be far more suitable and it would still give the committee over six weeks to deliberate these very limited legislative changes.

This is an important government initiative. There is a great deal of community support for it, including from young people particularly from regional Australia who understand the need for it. All around Australia it has been very clear, as the opposition has recognised by its willingness to support the measures, that Australians want this put in place.

In the past we have dealt with much more complex legislation much more quickly than this. I draw senators' attention to the fact that the Social Security Legislation Amendment (Budget and Other Measures) Bill was referred to a committee on 10 October last year and it reported on 4 November, which is 25 days, and the Social Security Legislation Amendment (Further Budget and Other Measures) Bill was referred to a committee on 31 October and it reported on 18 November, which was 18 days.

Those senators who have been here for a long time would remember that in the past the process was that bills were referred to committees on a Wednesday, committee hearings were held on a Friday and they reported on the next sitting day. In this case, the first Friday is Good Friday, and that is obviously not appropriate or possible. Nevertheless, the next sitting day, 14 May, is the date I have proposed in my amendment. I do believe that allows adequate time for this legislation to be examined very thoroughly.

As I said, plenty of legislation in the past was dealt with in a very much faster manner than in recent times. A reference to a legislative committee does not need to take so long. I remind the Senate again that the people of Australia want this legislation. They want the measure put in place as expeditiously as possible. They want to see the policy implemented. They will be frustrated at a Senate which looks as though it is playing games when in fact it is prepared to pass the legislation but wants to stall it. Senators who do that will have to hold themselves accountable to the young people of Australia, who in overwhelming numbers say they want the opportunity to contribute to their country to help maintain their confidence and their self-esteem in the difficult task of looking for work in the current environment.

No good can be served at all by a late reporting date, but there is much to gain for regional Australia and for the unemployed people who live in regional Australia by an earlier reporting date so the measure can go through the chamber as soon as possible. I urge senators not to play games with the lives of young Australians. Having a shorter reporting date will not truncate the debate. Between now and 14 May the committee has plenty of opportunity to report, but the proposal of 23 June is ridiculous. It does not need to take so long. I urge senators to consider that in deciding on my amendment.