Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I am happy to take on board, and on notice, the question of impact on emergency and relief services and ask the minister for any further advice. But I would make the point that these single parents will continue to receive Newstart. They will continue to receive the family benefits that are available. They will continue to receive the rent assistance that is available. They will continue to receive the other measures of a social support system—but they will also receive active engagement in seeking work or training. We will actually try and support them as we do the other parents, the larger cohort, already under these conditions. I have not had reports that those conditions have seen massively greater numbers of people seeking emergency help. I do not expect that to be the case here, but I am happy to take on notice any impact that might occur or any measures that might be in place and seek advice from the minister. (Time expired)