Michael Klapdor
LightNews LightNews
banner
mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor
@mklapdor.bsky.social
760 followers 630 following 550 posts

Social policy researcher at 🇩đŸ‡ș Parliamentary Library, Canberra
Mostly welfare, social security, family payments, child care, veterans
Personal account | Impersonal observations

Videos

The Parliamentary Library of Australia is a significant research and information service that supports the Parliament of Australia. Established in 1901, the library is an integral part of the Department of Parliamentary Services and provides independent, impartial and comprehensive information to members of Parliament, namely members of the Senate and House of Representatives, their staff and the broader parliamentary community. .. more

Political science 53%
Education 13%
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 11d
Parl Library has updated the Digest for the Social Security Technical Changes No. 2 Bill to include analysis of the new measure allowing Home Affairs Minister to stop payments to persons subject to an outstanding warrant for a serious violent or sexual offence: parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/dow...
Screenshot of text on p. 18 of Bills Digest: 'Cancelling payments for fugitives Government amendments to the Bill, proposed and made in the House of Representatives on 29 October 2025, added new Schedule 5 to the Bill. The Schedule will enable the Minister responsible for the Australian Federal Police (AFP)—currently the Minister for Home Affairs—to issue a notice to the Minister for Social Services which requires the cessation of certain social security, family assistance, and parental leave payments as well as concession cards where a person is subject to an outstanding arrest warrant for a serious violent or sexual offence. The measure was not previously announced.

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 20h
On a more minor note, Treasury’s Annual Report refers a few times to the ‘Federation Financial Relations Act’ when it should be the ‘Federal Financial Relations Act’
asherwolf.bsky.social Asher Wolf @asherwolf.bsky.social · 23h
The Albanese government’s $2.3 billion energy bill subsidies to households and business potentially breached the Constitution because Treasury did not attain appropriate written approval for the payments from Treasurer Jim Chalmers, the department has admitted www.afr.com/politics/fed...
Legal error in $2.3b energy bill subsidies revealed
Treasury has disclosed a technical potential breach of constitutional law after it failed to gain appropriate written approval from Treasurer Jim Chalmers.
www.afr.com

Reposted by Parliamentary Library

asherwolf.bsky.social
Asher Wolf @asherwolf.bsky.social · 23h
The Albanese government’s $2.3 billion energy bill subsidies to households and business potentially breached the Constitution because Treasury did not attain appropriate written approval for the payments from Treasurer Jim Chalmers, the department has admitted www.afr.com/politics/fed...
Legal error in $2.3b energy bill subsidies revealed
Treasury has disclosed a technical potential breach of constitutional law after it failed to gain appropriate written approval from Treasurer Jim Chalmers.
www.afr.com

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 1d
This decision last week flew under the radar - case could have significant ramifications for Centrelink debt decisions
mklapdor.bsky.social Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 4d
High Court granted special leave to appeal Fed Court’s decision in the Chaplin v DSS case (related to Centrelink’s assessment of employment income and income apportionment).
Comes same day the gov’s income apportionment validation Bill delayed to next sitting www.hcourt.gov.au/cases-and-ju...
www.hcourt.gov.au

Reposted by Parliamentary Library

joshnicholas.com
Josh Nicholas @joshnicholas.com · 4d
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 4d
Christopher Rudge’s article on the Federal Court’s decision provides useful background and analysis theconversation.com/the-ghost-of...
The ghost of Robodebt – Federal Court rules billions of dollars in welfare debts must be recalculated
The ruling has allowed the Department of Social Services to resume pursuing historical welfare debts, which the Ombudsman has previously found to be unlawful.
theconversation.com

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 4d
High Court granted special leave to appeal Fed Court’s decision in the Chaplin v DSS case (related to Centrelink’s assessment of employment income and income apportionment).
Comes same day the gov’s income apportionment validation Bill delayed to next sitting www.hcourt.gov.au/cases-and-ju...
www.hcourt.gov.au

Reposted by Parliamentary Library

aboutthehouse.bsky.social
About the House @aboutthehouse.bsky.social · 5d
The House stands adjourned.

The next sitting of the House is scheduled for 10 am (AEDT) Monday, 24 November 2025.

đŸ“· Photo supplied by AUSPIC/DPS.

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 5d
What the inside of my brain sounds like this week

Reposted by Parliamentary Library

vintageobscura.net
Vintage Obscura Radio @vintageobscura.net · 5d
Montanari Band - Frogs In Love (Italy, pop) (1973)
https://redd.it/b4x5km
https://youtu.be/teFrUVTDF64
Montanari Band - Frogs In Love (Italy, pop) (1973)
youtu.be

Reposted by Parliamentary Library

brucebradbury.bsky.social
Bruce Bradbury @brucebradbury.bsky.social · 5d
Income support recipients still have the highest annual price rise (Australia, Sept qtr 2025).
Living cost indexes by household type

Reposted by Parliamentary Library

antipovertycentre.org
Antipoverty Centre @antipovertycentre.org · 5d
As well as the Law Council of Australia, more disability peak bodies have come out to oppose the sudden introduction of new powers for police & ministers to cancel social security for people accused of a serious offence.
Australian Autism Alliance Children and Young People with Disability Community Mental Health Australia Down Syndrome Australia Inclusion Australia National Ethnic Disability Alliance Physical Disability Australia Women with Disabilities Australia

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 5d
Senate should vote on proposed amendments to this Bill today (next on the program) www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxZw...

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 6d
Parliamentary Library's Bills Digest explains the existing security notice powers and analyses the proposed new powers for the Home Affairs Minister.
Also covers the main parts of the Bill relating to income apportionment and debts waivers www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 6d
Opinion piece on the proposed measure to cease Centrelink payments to the subjects of outstanding arrest warrant for serious violent and sexual offences.
The article mistakenly suggests the ASIO/security notice power is new but it was introduced in 2014
www.canberratimes.com.au/story/910387...
Punishment before trial: this Home Affairs power grab will hurt many families
Presumption of innocence erased: what this new bill means.
www.canberratimes.com.au

Reposted by Parliamentary Library

abcnewsbot.bsky.social
ABC News Bot (unofficial) @abcnewsbot.bsky.social · 7d
Fugitives on the run and wanted for some of the most serious crimes and sexual offences could soon be stripped of their welfare payments.
Fears fugitive welfare cut-off will capture innocent people
Fugitives on the run and wanted for some of the most serious crimes and sexual offences could soon be stripped of their welfare payments.
www.abc.net.au

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 7d
Gov has proposed further amendments - allow for the small debt waiver (under $250) to apply to future undetermined debts. I.e. so they can be waived before being formally raised. Bill as introduced waived small undetermined debts currently in the Centrelink system, but it did not apply prospectively
mklapdor.bsky.social Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 8d
This Bill is down for debate in the Senate this week. Includes income apportionment measures which affect millions of people plus a new measure allowing a Minister to cancel payments to the subject of an outstanding arrest warrant for serious violent or sexual offences www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 7d
yes, I just meant it shouldn't affect someone's work/employment decisions now (except that they should hold onto their payslips)

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 7d
income apportionment is a historical practice - Centrelink's method for assessing employment income was changed in December 2020

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 7d
Bill listed on the draft program ('the red') for second reading debate in the Senate today
mklapdor.bsky.social Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 8d
This Bill is down for debate in the Senate this week. Includes income apportionment measures which affect millions of people plus a new measure allowing a Minister to cancel payments to the subject of an outstanding arrest warrant for serious violent or sexual offences www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 7d
ACOSS and Economic Justice Australia statement opposing the arrest warrant measure: www.acoss.org.au/media-releas...

Reposted by David M. Farrell, Parliamentary Library, Catherine J. Frieman

antonygreenelec.bsky.social
Antony Green @antonygreenelec.bsky.social · 8d
Delivering on an election promise by handing over my 2008-2025 election night tie to the Museum of Australian Democracy, Old Parliament House, Canberra. When I paid $20 for it in 2008, never thought it would end up in a museum.

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 8d
DSS Annual Report yet to be tabled

Reposted by Parliamentary Library

bluntshovels.bsky.social
El Gibbs @bluntshovels.bsky.social · 8d
bunch of new reports from jobs and skills australia (am on the board) that include new info about employment and skills for First Nations folks and disabled people, among many others

www.jobsandskills.gov.au/publications
www.jobsandskills.gov.au

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 8d
This Bill is down for debate in the Senate this week. Includes income apportionment measures which affect millions of people plus a new measure allowing a Minister to cancel payments to the subject of an outstanding arrest warrant for serious violent or sexual offences www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 9d
Opinion piece in The New Daily by @amyremeikis.bsky.social on the new measure to allow the Minister of Home Affairs to cancel fugitives’ welfare payments www.thenewdaily.com.au/news/politic...

Reposted by Parliamentary Library

australia.theguardian.com
Guardian Australia @australia.theguardian.com · 9d
Centrelink threatening payment suspensions at rate of five a minute, new analysis suggests
Centrelink threatening payment suspensions at rate of five a minute, new analysis suggests
Exclusive: As jobseekers continue to have payments suspended, advocates call for the regime to be stopped until it’s proven to be lawful * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Centrelink has been issuing payment suspension notices to jobseekers and those on disability support pensions at a rate of more than five a minute, new analysis suggests, amid concerns over the legality of the troubled system. In total, government data collated by the Antipoverty Centre shows there were 2,683,605 suspension actions between June 2024 and July 2025. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 10d
No data. That guy was reported as being on DSP.

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 10d
Parl Library has updated the Bills Digest to include analysis of these proposed measures (section at the end): www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...
The proposed changes are likely to raise similar concerns to those raised by stakeholders in response to security notice provisions in 2014. The Bills Digest for the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Foreign Fighters) Bill 2014 noted issues raised by welfare groups, human rights organisations, academics and the former Independent National Security Legislation Monitor Bret Walker (pp. 48-49). These include: ‱ unequal treatment of people who have not been charged or convicted of any crime ‱ human rights infringements, including a lack of review rights ‱ the measures may be seen to be targeting marginalised groups ‱ the undermining of key principles in Australia's welfare system. The key principles the 2014 and the current amendments risk undermining (pp. 48-50) are: ‱ that all those who meet the eligibility criteria and need support are eligible for assistance from the welfare system unless they have been gaoled ‱ that ministers cannot make decisions regarding eligibility for social security on a case-by-case basis and ‱ that individuals be given reasons for decisions and have clear avenues for review and appeal. The proposed amendments may raise additional concerns including the increased risk of criminal activity by alleged violent offenders when they lose financial resources.

Reposted by Jonathan Portes, Parliamentary Library, Jonathan Hopkin , and 11 more

faineg.bsky.social
Faine Greenwood @faineg.bsky.social · 10d
“Individuals on the ground sent a message that reached us Monday morning that 1,200 were dead,” Nathaniel Raymond, the lab’s executive director, said. “By that evening, they said 10,000. By Tuesday, we couldn’t reach them anymore. We assume our ground contacts are dead.”
Yale lab reports mass killings in Sudan, calls for student activism
The Humanitarian Research Lab was told this week that over 10,000 people in Sudan were killed within three days.
yaledailynews.com