Rachel Siewert WA, Australian Greens
4:02 pm
I, and also on behalf of Senator Steele-John, move:
That the Senate—
(a) notes that before coronavirus, National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling (NATSEM) modelling found that disabled people spent around $107 a week more on basic living costs compared to other Australians,
(b) recognises that disabled people and carers face increased living costs due to the coronavirus pandemic, including costs related to food delivery, groceries, health care, medical supplies, personal protective equipment, transport, utility bills, and
(c) acknowledges that people on the Disability Support Pension and Carer Payment feel left behind by the Government; and
(d) calls on the Government to provide the full $550 coronavirus supplement to Disability Support Pension and Carer Payment recipients in recognition that people on these payments are facing increased living costs at this time.
Anne Ruston SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services
I seek leave to make a short statement.
Anne Ruston SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services
The government is providing disability support pension and carer payment recipients with two $750 economic support payments to provide additional support in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The coronavirus supplement is a temporary support in recognition of the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, which will directly impede peoples' ability to find employment. Accordingly, the coronavirus supplement is payable to jobseeker payment and related allowances, as people on these payments are generally expected to participate in the labour market. Pensions, including the DSP and carer payment, will continue to be paid at the highest rate of payments within the income support system when temporary measures cease.
Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
4:03 pm
I seek leave to make a short statement to outline our voting position.
Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
Labor will not be supporting this motion; however, we do have our own motion listed today calling for the government to do more to support people with a disability and carers who have increased costs by allowing them to bring forward the second $750 coronavirus economic support payment.
Question negatived.
Rachel Siewert WA, Australian Greens
4:04 pm
by leave—I won't call a division, but could you please note that the Greens supported that proposal and the rest of the chamber didn't?
Rex Patrick SA, Centre Alliance
by leave—I want to let the chamber know that Centre Alliance supported that motion.