Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

I will reiterate the fact that I think Senator Polley has couched the question in completely the wrong terms—$3.2 billion of additional spending is not reducing money from the economy. But what I would say is the reason that the government has made the decision to extend the coronavirus supplement post 1 January is because we recognise that, whilst the economy is showing signs of recovery—in fact, the Reserve Bank governor, Mr Lowe, said last week that the Australian economy was well underway in terms of its economic recovery—it is in its early stages, and that is why we have extended the supplement. It is why we have extended the expanded measures to allow extra people to be able to get the payment—people who are self-employed, people who are sole traders, people who are caring for somebody who may have coronavirus or may have it themselves, people who've been stood down. We are waiving waiting periods. We've continued elevated levels for people on partner income. To couch it in any other term is disingenuous. (Time expired)