30th Nov 2020, 3:23 PM – Representatives Motions - Pensions and Benefits - Don't let a vote happen

The majority voted in favour of a motion to disagree with a motion to suspend the usual procedural rules - known as standing orders - to allow a vote in respect to robodebt to happen. This means the desired vote (see text below) won't take place.

Motion text

That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the Leader of the Opposition from moving the following motion immediately—That the House:

(1) notes that:

(a) as Minister for Social Services, the Prime Minister was personally responsible for the design of the illegal robodebt scheme;

(b) as Treasurer, the Prime Minister continued his illegal robodebt scheme, announcing it would save the budget $2 billion;

(c) after deposing Malcolm Turnbull, the Prime Minister continued his robodebt scheme for years despite knowing it was illegal;

(d) the Prime Minister announced his robodebt scheme would save the budget $2 billion but it has in fact cost taxpayers at least $1.2 billion;

(e) the Prime Minister's illegal robodebt scheme harmed thousands of Australians and led to the suicide and self-harm of vulnerable people; and

(f) no one in this eight-year-old Liberal-National Government is willing to take responsibility for the Prime Minister's illegal robodebt scheme; and

(2) therefore, condemns the Prime Minister for designing and maintaining the illegal robodebt scheme which led to the suicide and self-harm of vulnerable people.