> download Submission to the Social Security Amendment Bill (PDF, 122KB)
In general The Salvation Army opposes the intent and much of the content of the Bill. The principle reason for this opposition is that the Army believes that is both paternalistic and somewhat contradictory to treat 18 and 19 year olds in the same way as 16 and 17 year olds.
The Army believes that it is important to respect individuals’ legal and civil rights ahead of particular policy objectives which may in themselves be of questionable value.
It is the Army’s opinion that the proposed extension of ‘young persons services’ and the associated obligation and sanctions, to 18 and 19 year olds is a clear example of the State placing its policy objectives ahead of the legitimate rights of citizens and that as a practice this is unwise and unfair.