Overview of the superannuation system
19.18 Superannuation, as a form of long-term saving for retirement, serves an important role and, for many Australians, is one of the most significant forms of wealth.[7] As Australia’s population ages, successive governments have introduced measures to maintain and enhance superannuation savings, largely through compulsory superannuation membership and contribution and preferential tax treatment.[8]Superannuation legislation 19.19 …
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Read moreEducation, training and awareness
18.129 In Family Violence—A National Legal Response, the ALRC and the New South Wales Law Reform Commission (the Commissions) recommended that the Australian, state and territory governments, and educational, professional and service delivery bodies should ensure regular and consistent education and training for participants in the family law, family violence, and child protection systems, in …
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Read moreInformation sharing and privacy
15.32 The ALRC is directed by the Terms of Reference to consider whether the extent of sharing of information across Commonwealth, state and territory agencies is appropriate to protect the safety of those experiencing family violence.[18]15.33 The primary focus of this chapter is the Commonwealth jurisdiction, including agencies such as DEEWR, Centrelink, the Department of …
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Read moreProviders—processes and responses
15.51 There are approximately 115 JSA providers.[27] JSA and DES providers include a range of for-profit and not-for-profit organisations of differing sizes that operate in geographical ESAs. This section of the chapter outlines how improvements could be made to the processes and responses of providers that would enhance the safety of victims of family violence. …
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Read morePrivacy and confidentiality
14.42 A key challenge is to ensure that measures that are likely to lead to disclosure of family violence contain appropriate privacy safeguards regarding the handling of that personal information. This is particularly important given concerns about privacy appear to be a central barrier to disclosure of family violence in the context of employment law.14.43 …
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Read moreCompulsory income management and family violence
13.36 This section considers the appropriateness of compulsory income management as a means to improve the safety of victims of family violence. It does so by examining how the assessment of ‘indicators of vulnerability’ may affect victims of family violence. It also considers how this assessment may affect a victim’s willingness to disclose family violence, …
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Read moreVoluntary income management and family violence
13.78 Income management remains a highly controversial policy within urban, rural and remote Australian communities. As noted above, the most controversial welfare reform in income management has, and continues to be, the compulsory quarantining of a person’s welfare payment. Despite various amendments to Compulsory IM, there has been an ongoing call to the Australian Government …
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Read moreOperation of income management
13.13 Under income management, a percentage of a person’s welfare payments is set aside for their ‘priority needs’ and that of their children; namely, for services such as food, rent and utilities.[15] Income management does not affect or otherwise reduce the total amount of welfare payments payable to a recipient. Rather, it changes the way …
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Read moreBaby bonus
12.88 The baby bonus is a flat rate payment—$5,437 in 2011–12—to assist with the costs of a newborn or adopted child.[124] It is generally paid in 13 fortnightly instalments[125] to a parent of a child or a person who cares for or adopts the child.[126]12.89 The Family Assistance Guide discusses the payment of the baby …
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Read moreFamily Tax Benefit
Background12.13 FTB is an income-tested payment for eligible parents and carers. FTB includes two parts: FTB Part A and FTB Part B. 12.14 Family Tax Benefit Part A (FTB Part A) is the ‘primary payment designed to help with the cost of raising children’.[23] It is paid to eligible parents and carers for each dependent …
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