Senate Community Affairs References Committee

17 September 2026

Senate Community Affairs References Committee Australian Parliament

12:11 - 14:15
Speaker 1
All right, let's go.  Good morning, everyone.  I declare open this hearing of the Senate Community Affairs References Committee's inquiry into the Social Security Administration Legislation Amendment (Income Management and Enhanced Income Management) Instrument 2023. 

I begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet and pay my respects to their elders past and present, and I extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who will be joining us today.  The committee will be conducting today's hearing via teleconference, videoconference, and in person.  I'm Senator Penny Allman-Payne, I'm chair of the committee, and I have Senator Ananda-Rajah joining via videoconference and Senator Ruston and Antic joining via teleconference.  These are public proceedings being streamed live via the Parliament's website and a Hansard transcript is being made.  I remind all witnesses that in giving evidence to the committee, they're protected by parliamentary privilege. 

It's unlawful for anyone to threaten or disadvantage a witness on account of evidence given to a committee, and such action may be treated by the Senate as a contempt.  It is also a contempt to give false or misleading evidence, and witnesses have a right to request to be heard in camera. 

If a witness objects to answering a question, they should state the ground upon which the objection is made, and the committee will determine whether it will insist on an answer, having regard to the ground which is claimed.  If the committee determines to insist on an answer, a witness may request that the answer be given in camera.  I remind senators of their obligations under the behavior code for Australian parliamentarians to treat witnesses with dignity, courtesy, fairness, and respect.  And I remind committee members and witnesses who appear via teleconference or videoconference and who aren't speaking, it's very helpful if you could mute your microphones.  I now welcome representatives from the ANU Center for Social Policy Research, the Center for International and Public Law, and the ANU First Nations Portfolio. 

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