Senate debates

Thursday, 14 May 2020

Motions

Pensions and Benefits

12:29 pm

Photo of Rachel SiewertRachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf of Senator Steele-John, move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that Disability Support Pension and Carer Payment recipients did not receive the coronavirus supplement;

(b) acknowledges that people receiving the Disability Support Pension and Carer Payment receive up to $255.10 a fortnight less than someone on JobSeeker Payment with the coronavirus supplement;

(c) acknowledges that people on the Disability Support Pension and Carer Payment are also facing additional costs due to coronavirus that are not adequately met by the $750 economic stimulus payments; and

(d) calls on the Government to provide a top-up payment to Disability Support Pension and Carer Payment recipients so that these payments are equal to the new rate of JobSeeker Payment.

Photo of Anne RustonAnne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Photo of Scott RyanScott Ryan (President) Share this | | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Photo of Anne RustonAnne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | | Hansard source

The commissioner of Australian Border Force has very clearly outlined, including at the Senate Select Committee on COVID-19 hearing on 5 May, the Customs and Immigration roles and functions of the ABF at the border. Senator Keneally should know that. The Morrison government is getting on with the job of protecting Australians during this unprecedented crisis.

12:30 pm

Photo of Pauline HansonPauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Photo of Scott RyanScott Ryan (President) Share this | | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Photo of Pauline HansonPauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | | Hansard source

Senator Keneally has an art of making immigration speeches that I admire. But, when it comes to understanding Australian Border Force, she needs to brush up on her facts. At the Senate Select Committee on COVID-19 hearing on 5 May 2020, the ABF commissioner clearly put on the record evidence which rejects part 1(b), 1(f)(iii) and 1(f)(iv) of Senator Keneally's motion. One Nation will not be supporting this distorted and misleading motion.

Photo of Scott RyanScott Ryan (President) Share this | | Hansard source

The question is that motion 582 be agreed to.