Sharon Claydon (Newcastle, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The findings of the Deloittes economic report into Newstart are important and sobering, but they are not surprising. It's no secret that Newstart is diabolically low. It traps people into a cycle of poverty and hopelessness. Too many jobseekers are so focused on keeping a roof over their heads and food on the table that they have nothing left, either personally or financially, to put into looking for work.

Labor absolutely understands that Newstart isn't high enough, and we haven't been shy about saying so publicly. But rather than flag arbitrary policy details, without evidence, from opposition we've committed to undertake a root-and-branch review of the entire payment system in government. Of course, this will look at the adequacy of payments but it will, as it must, go much further.

Just as we commissioned the Harmer review in 2009, which led to the most significant increase in the pension in decades, Labor's payments review will look at how the entire system works to support jobseekers. This Liberal government has spent five years trying to smash down Newstart, while the Greens are grandstanding with bills they know will go nowhere. Neither is helpful. Only a Shorten Labor government, if elected, has the plan for a sustainable solution.