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

I, and also on behalf of Senator Marielle Smith, move:

That the Senate—

(a) acknowledges that this is Anti-Poverty Week 2019;

(b) recognises that many single parent families are living in poverty;

(c) notes that:

  (i) according to the Foodbank Hunger Report 2019, single parent households are most likely to experience food insecurity at a rate of 47%,

  (ii) since 2013, the rate of poverty among unemployed single parents has risen from 35% to 59%, and

  (iii) single parent families have a poverty rate of 32% which is a major source of child poverty;

(d) acknowledges that one of the keys to ending child poverty and helping single parents out of poverty is by raising the rate of Newstart; and

(e) calls on the Federal Government to help reduce the poverty rate of single parent families by immediately increasing Newstart and related payments.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a very short statement.

Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Australia has a targeted and comprehensive welfare system which is sustainable as a result of the government's prudent fiscal management and our strong economy.

Question agreed to.