8th Apr 2020, 3:32 PM – Representatives Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Payments and Benefits) Bill 2020 and related bills - Second Reading - Disability sector

The majority voted in favour of disagreeing with the amendment to the usual second reading motion "that the bill be read for a second time", which is parliamentary jargon for agreeing with the main idea of the bill. This mean that the amendment failed.

This amendment was introduced by Maribyrnong MP Bill Shorten (Labor) and, if it had been successful, its text would have been added to the usual second reading motion as a note. In other words, it didn't seek to change the actual text of the bills. Instead, the purpose of the amendment was to encourage the Government to change their position in relation to the disability sector.

MP Shorten explained the rationale behind his amendment in his contribution to the debate.

Amendment text

That the following words be added after paragraph (8):

"(9) calls on the Government to extend the 15 per cent reduction in turnover threshold to all National Disability Insurance Scheme and Disability Employment Services providers, and deliver a retention and support package for the disability sector workforce".