Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Hansard source

Again, I thank the senator for her question and her commitment to the most disadvantaged people in our community.

The indexation measures announced will go some way to easing the cost-of-living burden facing Australia, and some of our society's most disadvantaged people are feeling that most keenly. These indexation measures have been implemented to address the CPI rate increase of four per cent. The indexation will continue to be applied on a six-monthly basis.

The factors causing price increases are multifaceted, and we must work to address them across budget cycles. We're spending around $126 billion on income support payments through the social security and social services portfolio, which encompass family assistance and student assistance payments in 2022 and 2023. (Time expired.)