Rachel Siewert WA, Australian Greens
4:16 pm
I move:
That the Senate—
(a) notes that the Government is making a deliberate choice to keep people on the JobSeeker Payment living in poverty by keeping the payment below the poverty line; and
(b) calls on the Government to immediately revise its announcement and urgently increase Jobseeker Payment to be above the poverty line.
Jonathon Duniam Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries
I seek leave to make a short statement.
Jonathon Duniam Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries
The government's $9 billion commitment is the largest increase to payments since 1986 and will provide additional support to jobseekers, young people, students and parenting payment recipients. The government is ensuring that our social safety net remains targeted and sustainable while at the same time investing in a number of initiatives that are key to our economic recovery plan to get Australians back into work as we emerge from the coronavirus pandemic.
Scott Ryan President
The question is general business notice of motion No. 1033 be agreed to.