The majority supported the main idea of the bill, which means the senators can now discuss the bill in more detail. In parliamentary jargon, they voted to read the bill for a second time.
Main idea of the bill
The bill introduces the Social Services Portfolio budget measures that Labor has expressed support for (and so therefore have a chance of being passed).
What are the budget measures in this bill?
The bills digest describes the measures in detail. Most of the changes related to either ending indexation of certain allowances and supplements or limiting the overseas portability periods for certain payments and pensions.
Background to the bill
The measures in this bill were originally included in the Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (2014 Budget Measures No. 1) Bill 2014 and the Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (2014 Budget Measures No. 2) Bill 2014. These bills didn't get beyond the second reading stage in the Senate so the Government decided to split the measures into four bills (see ABC's The World Today), including this one.