I move:

That the following matter be referred to the Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 31 October 2023:

The extent and nature of poverty in Australia with particular reference to:

(a) the rates and drivers of poverty in Australia;

(b) the relationship between economic conditions (including fiscal policy, rising inflation and cost of living pressures) and poverty;

(c) the impact of poverty on individuals in relation to:

(i) employment outcomes,

(ii) housing security,

(iii) health outcomes, and

(iv) education outcomes;

(d) the impacts of poverty amongst different demographics and communities;

(e) the relationship between income support payments and poverty;

(f) mechanisms to address and reduce poverty; and

(g) any related matters.

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Leave is granted for one minute.

It's the opposition's position that this motion is considered much too broad for the Community Affairs References Committee to conduct a meaningful inquiry. The extensive scope of the proposed inquiry would be unable to be completed in a timely fashion, would place extensive pressure on the committee's resources and would be unlikely to provide measurable new insights into these matters.

Question agreed to.