ISSN 1328-8091 Warning: All viewers of this digest are advised to visit the disclaimer appearing at the end of this document. The disclaimer sets out the status and purpose of the digest. BILLS DIGEST NO. 93, 2015–16 29 FEBRUARY 2016 Social Security Legislation Amendment (Community Development Program) Bill 2015 James Haughton Social Policy Section Contents The Bills Digest at a glance ................................................... 3 Purpose of the Bill ............................................................... 4 Structure of the Bill ............................................................. 4 Background ......................................................................... 5 Summary of CDEP .................................................................... 5 Key features of CDEP ............................................................... 6 Committee consideration .................................................... 7 Senate Selection of Bills Committee........................................ 7 Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee ............................................................................... 7 Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills .............. 7 Policy position of non-government parties/independents ..... 7 Position of major interest groups ......................................... 7 Financial implications ........................................................ 10 Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights .................. 11 Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights ................ 11 Key issues and provisions................................................... 12 Substance of Amendments ................................................... 12 Delegation of legislative powers to the Minister .................. 12 Will the changes reduce No Show No Pay penalties? ........... 13 Indirect Discrimination .......................................................... 14 Financial and employment impact on recipients .................. 14 Table 1: Income and working hours for proposed and existing CDP ......................................................................... 15 Privacy and safety concerns .................................................. 16 Date introduced: 2 December 2015 House: Senate Portfolio: Indigenous Affairs Commencement: Sections 1–3 on Royal Assent; Schedule 1, Part 1 and Schedule 2, Part 1 on the day after Royal Assent. There are two contingent commencements: Schedule 1, Part 2 commences immediately after the commencement of item 1 of Schedule 1 to the Social Security Legislation Amendment (Further Strengthening Job Seeker Compliance) Act 2015; Schedule 2, Part 2 commences immediately before the commencement of Schedule 1 to the Social Services Legislation Amendment (Youth Employment) Act 2015. If either contingent condition is not satisfied the relevant provision does not commence. Links: The links to the Bill, its Explanatory Memorandum and second reading speech can be fouŶd oŶ the Bills hoŵe page, oƌ thƌough the Australian Parliament website. When Bills have been passed and have received Royal Assent, they become Acts, which can be found at the ComLaw website.