7           Services Australia Governance Amendment Bill 2020

Order of the day read for the adjourned debate on the motion of the Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians (Senator Colbeck)—That this bill be now read a second time.

Debate resumed.

Senator Brown moved the following amendment:

At the end of the motion, add “, but the Senate calls on the Government to:

(a)              abolish the “ASL offset rule”, which has the effect of capping average staffing levels within Services Australia;

(b)              stop the excessive use of consultancy firms and contractors to outsource important government services including Centrelink; and

(c)               recognise that the staffing cap is a false economy that undermines the quality of government services, especially those delivered by Services Australia”.

Debate ensued.

At 11.45 am : Debate was interrupted while Senator Siewert was speaking.