Commonwealth of Australia Explanatory Memoranda Commonwealth of Australia Explanatory Memoranda[Index] [Search] [Download] [Bill] [Help]
2016-2017-2018
THE PARLIAMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
SENATE
TREASURY LAWS AMENDMENT (NATIONAL HOUSING AND
HOMELESSNESS AGREEMENT) BILL 2018
REVISED EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
(Circulated by authority of the
Treasurer, the Hon Scott Morrison MP)
THIS MEMORANDUM TAKES ACCOUNT OF AMENDMENTS MADE BY
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TO THE BILL AS INTRODUCED
Table of contents
Glossary ................................................................................................. 1
General outline and financial impact....................................................... 3
Chapter 1 National Housing and Homelessness
Agreement .................................................................... 5
Glossary
The following abbreviations and acronyms are used throughout this
explanatory memorandum.
Abbreviation Definition
Bill Treasury Laws Amendment (National
Housing and Homelessness Agreement)
Bill 2018
COAG Council of Australian Governments
FFR Act Federal Financial Relations Act 2009
IGA Intergovernmental Agreement on Federal
Financial Relations
Minister Refers to the Minister administering the
FFR Act.
NAHA National Affordable Housing Agreement
NHHA National Housing and Homelessness
Agreement
NPAH Transitional National Partnership Agreement
on Homelessness 2017-18
NSPP National Specific Purpose Payment
States Refers to the Australian States, the Australian
Capital Territory and the Northern Territory
1
General outline and financial impact
National Housing and Homelessness Agreement
This Bill amends the FFR Act to introduce new funding arrangements for
Commonwealth support for housing and to address homelessness. The
Bill establishes a funding framework to support improved outcomes
across the housing spectrum. The Bill also repeals the NSPP for Housing
Services.
Date of effect: The new funding arrangements apply to payments made
on or after 1 July 2018, in relation to primary housing agreements and
associated supplementary housing agreements, and designated housing
agreements entered into between the Commonwealth and the States both
before and after that time.
The repeal of the NSPP for Housing Services applies to payments for the
2018-19 financial year and later financial years.
Proposal announced: This proposal was announced in the 2017-18
Budget as 'Reducing Pressure on Housing Affordability -- a new
National Housing and Homelessness Agreement'.
Financial impact: This measure is estimated to have the following
financial impact over the forward estimates period:
2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21
- - -$121.1m -$125.1m -$129.1m
- Nil
Human rights implications: This Bill is compatible with human rights.
See Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights -- paragraphs 1.66
to 1.78.
Compliance cost impact: Nil
3
Chapter 1
National Housing and Homelessness
Agreement
Outline of chapter
1.1 This Bill amends the FFR Act to introduce new funding arrangements
for Commonwealth support for housing and to address homelessness. The Bill
establishes a funding framework to support improved outcomes across the housing
spectrum. The Bill also repeals the NSPP for Housing Services.
1.2 All legislative references in this Chapter, unless otherwise stated, are to
the FFR Act.
Context of amendments
Operation of existing law
1.3 The FFR Act appropriates funds and establishes payment arrangements
in accordance with the federal financial relations framework agreed by the COAG
in the IGA.
1.4 As part of this framework, the Commonwealth provides payments to the
States to support their efforts in delivering key services. These payments currently
include health, education, skills and workforce development, community services,
housing, Indigenous affairs, infrastructure and the environment.
1.5 In some policy areas, these payments take the form of NSPPs -- the
NSPP for Skills and Workforce Development, the NSPP for Disability Services
and the NSPP for Housing Services (sections 12 to 14 of the FFR Act).
1.6 The States are required to spend funding received under each NSPP in
the relevant sector, but the payments are otherwise unconditional. The NSPPs are
ongoing and are indexed each year by growth factors determined by the Minister.
The Minister determines how funding under the NSPPs is distributed among the
States.
1.7 The FFR Act also provides for a range of payments in accordance with
other parts of the IGA and other agreements with the States, including:
• GST revenue grants (sections 5 to 8 of the FFR Act);
5
Treasury Laws Amendment (National Housing and Homelessness Agreement) Bill 2018
• national health reform payments (in relation to the National
Health Reform Agreement) (section 15A of the FFR Act);
and
• national partnership payments (in relation to a wide range of
National Partnership agreements) (section 16 of the
FFR Act).
Existing Housing and Homelessness Agreements
1.8 Currently, there are two separate agreements relating to housing and
homelessness: the NAHA and NPAH. The NAHA and the initial NPAH were
agreed to by the COAG on 29 November 2008 and came into force on
1 January 2009. The NPAH has been subject to several short-term extensions
since 1 July 2013.
1.9 The overarching objective of the NAHA is to ensure that all Australians
have access to affordable, safe and sustainable housing that contributes to social
and economic participation. The NAHA is a framework for improving outcomes
for all Australians -- for renters and home buyers, for those receiving housing
assistance and for those who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
1.10 The NAHA is supported by the NSPP for Housing Services. This is an
indexed ongoing payment to the States to be spent to provide housing and
homelessness services (estimated to be $1.4 billion in the 2017-18 financial year).
The funding arrangements do not require the States to match the Commonwealth
funding that is provided.
1.11 States have budget flexibility to allocate the funds received under the
NSPP for Housing Services to support the mutually agreed housing and
homelessness outcomes outlined in the NAHA. There are no other conditions on
the provision of this funding except that it is spent on housing services.
1.12 The current NPAH is a one-year transitional agreement for the
2017-18 financial year to enable continuation of NPAH funded homelessness
services, focusing on women and children experiencing domestic violence and
also on homeless youth. The funding of $117.2 million enables the
Commonwealth and States to ensure that funding continues while new funding
arrangements are being implemented.
1.13 A focus of the NPAH is to reduce homelessness levels across Australia.
States retain budget flexibility around the mix of services to maximise efficiency
and effectiveness. However, there are a number of requirements that States must
meet to receive funding, such as matching Commonwealth funding, developing
project plans and directing a certain amount of funding to priority outputs.
6
National Housing and Homelessness Agreement
Commonwealth support for housing and homelessness
1.14 Under current arrangements, despite the Commonwealth outlay of
around $9 billion since 2009, the 2016 COAG Report on Performance confirmed
that three of four benchmarks set out in the current NAHA had not been achieved
or were unlikely to be met.
1.15 In the 2017-18 Budget, the Government announced it would work with
the States to reform the existing funding arrangements for housing and
homelessness by establishing the NHHA. This is part of the Government's
comprehensive plan to improve housing outcomes for all Australians.
1.16 The Government announced that the NHHA would provide ongoing,
indexed funding from the 2018-19 financial year and would combine funding
currently provided under the NSPP and the NPAH. This includes providing
additional funding of $375.3 million over three years from the 2018-19 financial
year to fund homelessness support services. This ongoing and additional funding
will provide certainty to frontline homelessness service providers.
1.17 Under the terms of the NHHA being negotiated with States to
commence 1 July 2018, the Commonwealth intends that 100 per cent of NHHA
funding to be distributed to States will be subject to a limited number of specific
conditions set out in the FFR Act. The States will be required to demonstrate that
they have met these conditions to receive funding. The conditions include:
• having a current, credible housing strategy in place;
• having a current, credible homelessness strategy in place; and
• providing housing and homelessness information to enable
the development and implementation of more transparent and
consistent data collection and reporting across the housing
spectrum.
1.18 States will be required to enter into a primary housing agreement (the
NHHA) and a supplementary housing agreement with the Commonwealth to
receive funding. Supplementary housing agreements outline how a State intends
to implement their housing and homelessness strategies.
1.19 States will also continue to be required to match homelessness funding.
However, the States will continue to have the flexibility to provide homelessness
services from other funding provided under the NHHA.
1.20 The accuracy of the level of housing supply in a State's housing strategy
and the quality or effectiveness of the reforms and initiatives in a State's housing and
homelessness strategies will be matters for each State.
7
Treasury Laws Amendment (National Housing and Homelessness Agreement) Bill 2018
Summary of new law
1.21 The amendments establish a framework for the Commonwealth to make
payments to the States to support the delivery of programs, services and reforms
with respect to housing (including affordable and social housing), homelessness
and housing affordability matters by:
• ceasing the NSPP for Housing Services; and
• providing that these payments are made in accordance with a
primary housing agreement, a supplementary housing
agreement or a designated housing agreement.
1.22 The States must meet legislated conditions to receive Commonwealth
funding under a primary housing agreement supported by a supplementary
housing agreement. The proposed NHHA will be a primary housing agreement.
1.23 The Bill does not affect the operation of the NPAH. The NPAH will
expire on 30 June 2018 under the terms of that agreement.
Comparison of key features of new law and current law
New law Current law
Financial assistance for housing, Financial assistance is payable to a
homelessness and housing State each financial year, for the
affordability matters is provided to purpose of expenditure on housing
the States under housing agreements. (through the NSPP for Housing
Funding is conditional on a Services).
jurisdiction entering into: Financial assistance is payable to a
• a primary housing agreement and State on the condition that the
a supplementary housing financial assistance is spent on
agreement -- satisfying legislated housing services.
conditions; or
• a designated housing agreement
(if any) -- satisfying the terms
and conditions of that agreement.
Detailed explanation of new law
1.24 The Bill amends the FFR Act to repeal the current NSPP for housing
services. It permits the Minister to, by determination, make payments to a State or
States if this is consistent with:
8
National Housing and Homelessness Agreement
• the legislated conditions for a primary housing agreement
and a supplementary housing agreement; or
• the terms and conditions of a designated housing agreement.
[Schedule 1, items 3 and 4, sections 15B, 15C and 15D]
1.25 Generally, ongoing funding for housing (including affordable and social
housing), homelessness or housing affordability matters will be provided under
the primary housing agreement with accompanying supplementary housing
agreements. A designated housing agreement provides flexibility to enter into
other agreements as needed from time to time.
Primary and supplementary housing agreements
Definitions
1.26 An agreement is a primary housing agreement if:
• it is an agreement between the Commonwealth and one or
more of the States that relates to housing (including
affordable and social housing), homelessness or housing
affordability matters; and
• it specifies that it is a primary housing agreement for the
purpose of these provisions.
[Schedule 1, item 2, definition of primary housing agreement in section 4]
1.27 An agreement is a supplementary housing agreement if:
• it is only entered into between the Commonwealth and one
State;
• it relates to housing (including affordable and social
housing), homelessness or housing affordability matters;
• it specifies that it is a supplementary housing agreement for
the purpose of the FFR Act; and
• it does not apply for more than five financial years.
[Schedule 1, item 2, definition of supplementary housing agreement in section 4]
1.28 A housing affordability matter is a matter that is likely to affect the
affordability of housing. This could include a range of factors that impact the
supply and cost of housing. For example, financial capacity to access suitable
9
Treasury Laws Amendment (National Housing and Homelessness Agreement) Bill 2018
housing (to purchase or rent) and planning and zoning arrangements. [Schedule 1,
item 2, definition of housing affordability matter in section 4]
Operation of agreements
1.29 The primary housing agreement will contain details of how funding is
provided by the Commonwealth to the States. It is a multi-party agreement that
will be entered into by the Commonwealth and all States, setting out any national
objectives and outcomes and will include common details that apply to all
jurisdictions.
1.30 Supplementary housing agreements, to accompany the primary housing
agreement, are intended to be entered into by the Commonwealth and individual
States. Supplementary housing agreements will outline how a State intends to
implement their housing and homelessness strategies. For example, the
supplementary housing agreements recognise the differences in States' housing
markets and their respective policy priorities.
1.31 The NHHA is expected to be a primary housing agreement, supported
by supplementary housing agreements.
1.32 The Government announced in the 2017-18 Budget that the existing
level of funding for housing and homelessness under the NSPP and NPAH will be
maintained in the NHHA (the primary housing agreement) on an ongoing basis
and that it would be indexed. This means that all of the currently available funding
under the NPAH and NSPP (and the additional homelessness funding) will be
available to the States if they meet the legislative conditions (see paragraph 1.33).
1.33 A State is entitled to funding for a financial year under a primary
housing agreement if the State satisfies the following conditions:
• it spends funds in accordance with the primary housing
agreement and supplementary housing agreement (see
paragraph 1.35);
• it has a housing strategy in place (see paragraphs 1.36
to 1.41);
• it has a homelessness strategy in place (see paragraphs 1.42
to 1.46);
• it matches Commonwealth funding for homelessness services
(see paragraph 1.47);
• it provides information required about housing and
homelessness matters (see paragraphs 1.48 to 1.50); and
10
National Housing and Homelessness Agreement
• it has entered into a supplementary housing agreement with
Commonwealth (see paragraphs 1.53 and 1.54).
1.34 Funding may be paid to States where they are party to a primary housing
agreement and supplementary housing agreement for part of a financial year, if
that is consistent with the relevant agreement. [Schedule 1, item 4, section 15C]
Spending of funds
1.35 The State must spend the funds it receives in accordance with the
primary housing agreement and the supplementary housing agreement. [Schedule 1,
item 4, subsection 15C(4)]
Housing strategy
1.36 The State must have a published, up-to-date housing strategy that:
• indicates the level of housing supply needed to respond to
projected housing demand, and outlines the reforms and
initiatives that will contribute to meeting this need; and
• includes other matters (if any) detailed in a primary housing
agreement or the associated supplementary housing
agreement.
[Schedule 1, item 4, subsection 15C(5)]
1.37 The requirement that the housing strategy must outline the reforms and
initiatives that contribute to meeting the level of housing supply required is
intended to ensure the strategies contribute to an improvement in the supply and
demand balance of housing. While housing demand is influenced by a range of
economic and other conditions, some of which are beyond the control of the
States, States' strategies should give consideration to likely demand and include
reforms and initiatives accordingly.
1.38 A housing strategy would also be expected to outline plans to address
housing priorities in the jurisdiction.
1.39 The housing strategy is published for a financial year if it is:
• published on a publicly accessible website of the State; and
• publicly accessible for the period ascertained in accordance
with the primary or supplementary housing agreement, so far
as is reasonably practicable to do so.
1.40 The primary or supplementary housing agreement should set out the
period for which a State must have a housing strategy. This provides greater
11
Treasury Laws Amendment (National Housing and Homelessness Agreement) Bill 2018
administrative flexibility than requiring the strategy at all times during the
financial year, and allows payments to be made provided that the strategy has
been in place for the period the agreement requires.
1.41 As a general rule, the strategy must be accessible at all times during the
financial year. The requirement that the strategy must be publicly accessible so far
as it is reasonably practicable to do so provides flexibility where there are genuine
reasons why strategies may be unavailable at times, such as where there are
website outages, the strategy is being developed or reviewed, or there has been a
change of Government.
Homelessness strategy
1.42 The State must have a published, up-to-date homelessness strategy that:
• addresses the priority homelessness cohorts set out in the
primary housing agreement including reforms or initiatives
that contribute to a reduction in the incidence of
homelessness -- priority homelessness cohorts could include
people affected by family and domestic violence, children
and young people, older people, people experiencing
intermittent or continuous homelessness, Indigenous
Australians, and people currently exiting institutions and care
and becoming homeless;
• includes reforms or initiatives that contribute to a reduction
in the incidence of homelessness in that State; and
• includes other matters (if any) included in the primary
housing agreement or the supplementary housing agreement.
1.43 Homelessness strategies would be considered to address priority cohorts
if general homelessness reforms and initiatives meet the needs of these cohorts, so
long as consideration is given by the relevant State to the prevalence and needs of
that cohort in coming to that view. That is, it is not strictly necessary to have
specific reforms or initiatives for every cohort. This acknowledges that the
prevalence and needs of cohorts, and the availability of and services provided by
States' homelessness reforms and initiatives, are unique to each State. [Schedule 1,
item 4, subsection 15C(6)]
1.44 The homelessness strategy is published for a financial year if it is:
• published on a publicly accessible website of the State; and
• publicly accessible for the period ascertained in accordance
with the agreement, so far as is reasonably practicable to do
so.
12
National Housing and Homelessness Agreement
1.45 The primary or supplementary housing agreement should set out the
period for which a State must have a homelessness strategy. This provides greater
administrative flexibility than requiring the strategy at all times during the
financial year, and allows payments to be made provided that the strategy has
been in place for the period the primary or supplementary agreement requires.
1.46 As a general rule, the strategy must be accessible at all times during the
financial year. The requirement that the strategy must be publicly accessible so far
as it is reasonably practicable to do so provides flexibility where there are genuine
reasons why strategies may be unavailable at times, such as where there are
website outages, the strategy is being developed or reviewed, or there has been a
change of Government.
State matching of Commonwealth funding for homelessness services
1.47 The Commonwealth funds provided to the States designated for
homelessness services must be matched by the States from their own resources.
[Schedule 1, item 4, subsection 15C(7)]
Provision of information
1.48 States may be required to provide information about housing,
homelessness and housing affordability matters under the terms of a primary
housing agreement or a supplementary housing agreement. The terms of the
agreement will specify:
• the data that is to be provided, including information relating
to performance indicators and benchmarks that may be used
to monitor and report on sector-wide performance through an
annual performance dashboard and jurisdiction-specific
performance against the outputs of the agreement, and/or
evidence for the review of the agreement and future
development of housing, homelessness and/or housing
affordability policy;
• evidence of government expenditure on housing and
homelessness, including for the purposes of matched
homelessness funding; and
• the manner in which data is to be provided, including format
and timing.
[Schedule 1, item 4, subsection 15C(8)]
1.49 The provision of this information by the States supports the development
and implementation of a nationally consistent data set for housing and
homelessness.
13
Treasury Laws Amendment (National Housing and Homelessness Agreement) Bill 2018
1.50 The information must be provided to the Minister.
Matters for States
1.51 It is a matter for each State whether:
• the level of housing supply indicated in their housing strategy
described in paragraph 1.36 is accurate or likely to be
accurate;
• the reforms and initiatives in their housing strategy described
in paragraph 1.36 are effective or of a particular quality, or
are likely to be effective or of a particular quality; and
• the reforms and initiatives in their homelessness strategy
described in paragraph 1.42 are effective or of a particular
quality, or are likely to be effective or of a particular quality.
1.52 This makes it clear that the condition for payment in relation to housing
and homelessness strategies is whether a State has a strategy that indicates the
level of housing supply, or includes in their strategy the relevant reforms and
initiatives. The accuracy of the level of housing supply in a State's housing
strategy, and the quality and effectiveness of the reforms and initiatives of a State,
are matters for that State. [Schedule 1, item 4, subsection 15C(9)]
State entering into a supplementary housing agreement with the
Commonwealth
1.53 States must enter into a supplementary housing agreement to be eligible
to receive funding under a primary housing agreement. Supplementary housing
agreements can apply for up to five years. It is only once the supplementary
housing agreement with a State has been entered into that this condition for
receiving funding from the Commonwealth is satisfied. As this condition applies
separately to each State, a State is not affected in any way if it has entered into a
supplementary housing agreement with the Commonwealth, but another State has
failed to enter into a supplementary housing agreement as required. [Schedule 1,
item 4, subsection 15C(1)]
1.54 The supplementary housing agreement is expected to include details of
how the housing and homelessness strategies will be implemented, and could
include details of how Commonwealth funding is to be spent.
Designated housing agreements
Definition
1.55 An agreement is a designated housing agreement if:
14
National Housing and Homelessness Agreement
• it is an agreement entered into by the Commonwealth and
one or more of the States that relates to housing (including
affordable and social housing), homelessness or housing
affordability matters; and
• it specifies that it is a designated housing agreement for the
purpose of the FFR Act.
[Schedule 1, item 2, definition of designated housing agreement in section 4]
Operation of agreements
1.56 Financial assistance is payable to a State by the Commonwealth under a
designated housing agreement that is not a primary housing agreement if all of the
terms and conditions that are specified in that designated housing agreement are
satisfied. [Schedule 1, item 4, section 15D]
1.57 A designated housing agreement is not contingent on a primary housing
agreement or supplementary housing agreement. Designated housing agreements
may have multi-lateral or bilateral schedules.
Payment determinations
1.58 The Bill provides that the Minister's determination is a legislative
instrument, but is not subject to disallowance. [Schedule 1, item 4, subsections 15C(2)
and 15D(2)]
1.59 This is because the determinations facilitate the operation of an
intergovernmental scheme involving the Commonwealth and a State and are made
for the purpose of that scheme. In this instance, the scheme is the primary housing
agreement supported by the supplementary housing agreements or the designated
housing agreement, and payments made by the Commonwealth are for the
purpose of that scheme.
1.60 This is consistent with other payment arrangements, such as NSPPs and
National Health Reform payments, where there is an obligation on the
Commonwealth to make payments in a prescribed manner as part of an
intergovernmental body or scheme involving the Commonwealth and the States.
Consequential amendments
1.61 The amendments also make a number of technical amendments to the
FFR Act to replace references to the NSPP for Housing Services with references
to primary housing agreement, supplementary housing agreement and designated
housing agreement and to ensure these payments receive equivalent treatment to
15
Treasury Laws Amendment (National Housing and Homelessness Agreement) Bill 2018
National Health Reform payments. [Schedule 1, items 1 and 5 to 9, paragraphs 3(bb),
17(b), 18(1)(b), 18(2)(b), 21(ab) and section 22]
Application and transitional provisions
1.62 The amendments commence on 1 July 2018. [Clause 2]
1.63 The new funding arrangements apply to payments made on or after
1 July 2018 in relation to a primary housing agreement and the associated
supplementary housing agreements, and designated housing agreements entered
into both before and after that time. [Schedule 1, item 2, definition of primary housing
agreement, supplementary housing agreement and designated housing agreement in section 4]
1.64 The repeal of the NSPP for Housing Services applies in relation to
payments for the 2018-19 financial year and later financial years. It does not affect
payments or obligations that relate to earlier periods. [Schedule 1, item 10]
1.65 As a result, financial assistance is still payable for those past years, even
if the Minister had not made a determination prior to this Bill's commencement.
Further, the Minister and other entities would continue to be able to exercise
powers and discretions and be bound by obligations under the FFR Act in relation
financial assistance in those past years.
STATEMENT OF COMPATIBILITY WITH HUMAN RIGHTS
Prepared in accordance with Part 3 of the Human Rights
(Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011
Treasury Laws Amendment (National Housing and Homelessness
Agreement) Bill 2018
National Housing and Homelessness Agreement
1.66 This Bill is compatible with the human rights and freedoms recognised
or declared in the international instruments listed in section 3 of the Human Rights
(Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011.
16
National Housing and Homelessness Agreement
Overview
1.67 This Bill amends the FFR Act to introduce new funding arrangements
for Commonwealth support for housing and to address homelessness. The Bill
establishes a funding framework to support improved outcomes across the housing
spectrum. The Bill also repeals the NSPP for Housing Services.
Human rights implications
1.68 The Bill engages the right to an adequate standard of living, including
housing under Article 11(1) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social
and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).
1.69 Article 11.1 of ICESCR states that everyone has the right to 'an
adequate standard of living for himself and his family, including adequate food,
clothing and housing, and to the continuous improvement of living conditions'
and that 'appropriate steps' be taken to 'ensure the realization of this right'.
1.70 The Bill supports the advancement of this right by establishing a
framework that supports the achievement of improved housing and homelessness
outcomes. Under the NHHA (once it becomes a 'primary housing agreement'
under the Bill), the States are required to develop a housing strategy, a
homelessness strategy and commit to better data collection and reporting to
receive payment.
1.71 As part of the new NHHA, the Commonwealth and each State will enter
into a supplementary housing agreement. This will formalise the specific
strategies, actions and proposals each State intends to pursue to deliver improved
housing, homelessness and housing affordability outcomes. This could include
(subject to negotiations) outcomes for new affordable and social housing supply,
renewal of public housing stock and better targeting and tailoring of homelessness
services.
1.72 The NHHA will separately identify the indexed funding (to be matched
by the States) for homelessness services. This funding arrangement will continue
to support the most vulnerable priority cohorts, including people affected by
domestic violence, Indigenous Australians and vulnerable young Australians.
1.73 The Government has announced that the existing level of funding for
housing and homelessness under the NSPP and NPAH will be maintained in the
NHHA. This funding will also be ongoing and indexed.
1.74 A five year review process will also ensure that the housing and
homelessness outcomes in the NHHA continue to reflect the reform priorities of
the Commonwealth and States while also giving certainty over the medium term.
17
Treasury Laws Amendment (National Housing and Homelessness Agreement) Bill 2018
Determinations to include human rights statements
1.75 Previously, the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights'
(Report 7 of 2017) requested further advice from the Treasurer as to the
compatibility of determinations made under the FFR Act with Australia's human
rights obligations.
1.76 In response to this report, the Assistant Minister to the Treasurer (letter
dated 18 August 2017) undertook to provide compatibility statements with future
payment determinations from September 2017 onwards (Report 9 of 2017).
1.77 As such, each determination made under this Bill will include a
Statement of Compatibility to address the specific engagements of human rights
as they relate to payments made under the NHHA (or any other primary,
supplementary or designated housing agreement).
Conclusion
1.78 This Bill is compatible with human rights.
18
19
Index]
[Search]
[Download]
[Bill]
[Help]