Senator NEWMAN (Social Security) (8:38 PM) —Could I just explain, for the sake of the Senate, that this was the bringing together of two payments that had quite different eligibility in this area. We have tried to strike a balance whereby young people on unemployment benefits, for instance, could have a de facto relationship declared from day one, whereas for young people on Austudy it would not have mattered how long they had a de facto relationship; it would not have affected their entitlement. That is why the government has brought it to two years—to try to meet the payments, if you like, halfway.

It was not through any attempt to make it very difficult for young people on the youth allowance. It was trying to bring together two payments and have something that was relatively consistent with somebody who is independent on the grounds of marriage. Two years we thought was a reasonable parallel. I would like to think marriage was going to be a great deal longer than two years.

Senator Neal —Are you accepting this?

Senator NEWMAN —Yes, we will not oppose it, but I was trying to explain why we made it two years.

Requests agreed to.