Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Trade) Share this | Hansard source

I was about to come to that issue precisely, Senator Rice, and thank you for giving me the opportunity to deal with that. First, I'd say that I understand that—not just in here but also in the community—people will make the case for more. I understand it. But let's be measured and precise in terms of the arguments that we're making. It is not three months. It is six weeks. There will be 60,000 individual parents and their children who benefit from the expanded eligibility here. As you say, there has been a long period of time when people have brought their kids up without access to those payments, and that has been very difficult. For families who are in the situation that you describe, who are experiencing extreme circumstances, there are emergency supports available for them, of course. They should contact Services Australia. There is the crisis payment, and there are other emergency relief payments and assistance that are available. But, as I say, on 20 September that expanded eligibility will be available to those 60,000 families.