Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:C2023A00112:section:8
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:C2023A00112
Segment Type: section
Provision Reference: s 8
Character Range: 4915–7802

8  Committee's function—reports ahead of Commonwealth Government budgets
 (1) The Committee's function is to give a written report to the Joint Ministers ahead of each Commonwealth Government budget.

Contents of report
 (2) The report must consist of advice prepared by the Committee about one or more of the following matters as they relate to the policies, programs and responsibilities of the Commonwealth Government:
 (a) economic inclusion, including approaches to boost economic participation through the following:
 (i) policy settings, systems and structures in the social security system;
 (ii) other relevant programs and policies;
 (b) the adequacy, effectiveness and sustainability of income support payments, including options to boost economic inclusion and tackle disadvantage;
 (c) options to reduce barriers and disincentives to work, including in relation to social security and employment services;
 (d) options for tailored responses to address barriers to economic inclusion for long term unemployed and disadvantaged groups, including place‑based approaches at the local level, having regard to the split between Commonwealth, State, Territory and local government responsibilities;
 (e) the impact of economic inclusion policies on people with barriers to work, including (without limitation) the following:
 (i) people with caring responsibilities;
 (ii) Indigenous persons;
 (iii) people with disability;
 (f) the impact of economic inclusion policies on gender equality;
 (g) the trends of inequality markers in Australia and international comparisons.
 (3) In preparing the report, the Committee must have regard to the following matters:
 (a) the Commonwealth Government's economic and fiscal outlook and fiscal strategy;
 (b) workforce participation;
 (c) relevant Commonwealth Government policies;
 (d) the long‑term sustainability of the social security system.
 (4) The Committee must demonstrate in the report how the Committee had regard to those matters.

Timing of report
 (5) The Committee must give the report at a time that allows adequate time for the Joint Ministers to consider the report before the Commonwealth Government budget is delivered in the House of Representatives.

Direction by Joint Ministers
 (6) The Joint Ministers may, by written notice to the Chair, direct the Committee to ensure that a particular report under this section at least addresses specified matters mentioned in subsection (2).
 (7) The Committee must comply with any direction given under subsection (6).
 (8) A direction under subsection (6) is not a legislative instrument.

Publication
 (9) The Minister must, in relation to a report given by the Committee under this section, cause the Committee's findings to be published on the Department's website at least 14 days before the Commonwealth Government budget is delivered in the House of Representatives.