Australia news live: Julian Hill claims Labor has ‘won the debate’ on housing tax changes; homelessness soars in NSW

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The Senate community affairs legislation committee discussed the government’s controversial income management system at estimates last night.

Social services officials revealed that since September 2023, 17,014 people have been placed on the newer SmartCard, which can be used on the visa network. The BasicsCard, which is being phased out and can only be used at government-approved merchants, is also still being used.

We had a forecast that we would do 10,000 applications in a year. However, the scheme started on the 5th of December. Had it been running for the full year, it would receive the 10,000.

We don’t know whether that will be a cost or a benefit to the balance sheet of the commonwealth at this point. If house prices continue to grow gradually over time, it will actually benefit the commonwealth.