26th Oct 2021, 4:55 PM – Representatives Social Security Legislation Amendment (Remote Engagement Program) Bill 2021 - Second Reading - Keep motion unchanged

The majority voted in favour of disagreeing with an amendment, which would have added the text below to the usual second reading motion. A second reading motion is "that the bill be read a second time," and is parliamentary jargon for agreeing with the main idea of the bill. Because this vote passed, the amendment failed.

Amendment text

That all words after "That" be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:

"whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading, the House:

(1) notes:

(a) the proposed pilot remote engagement program is intended to replace the current remote employment program, the Community Development Program (CDP);

(b) the Government are the architects of the current failed CDP and the bill again delays long-overdue changes to this program;

(c) concerns this bill could entrench a welfare model, rather than job creation, economic development and self-determination; and

(d) this bill does not address fundamental issues in remote Australia such as housing and essential services; and

(2) calls on the Government to adopt Labor's policy of a remote employment program with real jobs, proper wages with full conditions, and meaningful community control".