Rachel Siewert WA, Australian Greens
12:21 pm
I move:
That the Senate—
(a) notes that:
(i) community members are in Parliament this week to meet with members and senators to talk about their lived experiences of being on income support,
(ii) many have recounted the stress, trauma and poverty they experience engaging with the income support system and living below the poverty line,
(iii) Newstart and Youth Allowance have not had an increase in real terms for over 25 years,
(iv) recipients of these income support payments are unable to cover basic living costs such as housing, food, transport, healthcare and utilities, and
(v) income inequality and poverty has significant negative effects on individuals' physical and mental wellbeing and society; and
(b) calls on the Federal Government and all members of Parliament to listen to the lived experiences of those on income support, and make it a priority to help address poverty in Australia by raising Newstart and Youth Allowance immediately.
Jonathon Duniam Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries
12:22 pm
I seek leave to make a short statement.
Jonathon Duniam Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries
The Morrison government is absolutely committed to getting people off welfare and into work.
Honourable senators interjecting—
Scott Ryan President
Order! A fine example, I might say. The question is that motion No. 125 be agreed to.