Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Senator Wong. In light of the fact that Newstart has now been found to be inadequate by the Senate inquiry last year, the latest round of indexation for those on Newstart has seen the base rate increase by just $4.40 per fortnight while the base pension rate has increased by $21.70 per fortnight. Single parents now living on Newstart will receive a whole $4.80 per fortnight. If they were on parenting payment single they would have received $19.60. However, it was announced last Friday that rents in Perth for the last quarter have gone up by 4.4 per cent or $60 per fortnight. How does the government expect those on Newstart and in particular single parents to be able to pay this increase and maintain secure accommodation?