Tania Lawrence (Hasluck, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That this House:

(1) acknowledges that the Government is working to relieve the cost of living pressure for Australians on low and fixed incomes, with around 5.5 million Australians receiving an increase to their income support payments and pensions on 20 September, as a result of:

(a) indexation; and/or

(b) the boost to income support announced in the May budget as part of the $14.6 billion cost of living package; and

(2) notes the changes include:

(a) increases to the rates of working-age and student payments, including:

(i) Jobseeker;

(ii) Youth Allowance;

(iii) Austudy;

(iv) Parenting Payment Partnered;

(v) Youth Disability Support Pension; and

(vi) ABSTUDY;

(b) expanded eligibility for the higher rate of Jobseeker to those aged 55 and over, who are on payment for nine continuous months or more (down from 60);

(c) expanded eligibility for Parenting Payment Single, to single principal carers until their youngest child turns 14 (up from 8);

(d) increases to the maximum rates of Commonwealth Rent Assistance, the highest in more than 30 years;

(e) indexation increases for recipients of the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment and veterans on a service pension;

(f) indexation of the income limits for Commonwealth Seniors Health Card recipients; and

(g) other supplementary payments including Telephone Allowance and Utilities Allowance which are also being indexed.

The country has great and imperative obligations to the weak, the sick, the unfortunate. It must give to them all the sustenance and support it can. We look forward to social and unemployment insurances, to improved health services … to a better distribution of wealth, to a keener sense of social justice and social responsibility.

These are the words of Robert Menzies when social justice was a shared goal of the major parties in this country back in 1944. The Albanese government is getting on with the job in working towards that vision, now abandoned by the opposition. We seek to ensure that no-one is left behind because financial stress affects people's health, happiness, opportunities and life choices. The stress experienced by an individual is never theirs alone, but also shared by their family, friends and the community at large.

The Albanese government understands and respects that at different times of our lives we will need or benefit from support, and that support can mean the difference between being able to access opportunities or otherwise suffering and being shut out of full participation in society. This is always true, but more so at a time when inflation, due to compounding international factors, is heightened and cost-of-living pressures more keenly felt. This government is committed to boosting payments, indexation and providing cost-of-living relief to those who most need it, evidenced by the $14.6 billion package announced in the May budget. And on 20 September, increases in the Commonwealth allowances took effect. These permanent changes will make life better for over 5½ million people—wholly one in five Australians. Back home in Hasluck, and in each and every electorate around the country, this works out, on average, to be more than 35,000 people who will directly benefit, and their families around them will benefit too.

For children and parents, single parenting payment recipients have seen the base payment rise to $942 a fortnight. Single parents transferring to this payment after the government extended eligibility in the May budget to cover children up to 14 years of age, up from eight years, will have seen a substantial increase of $227.50 per fortnight, including supplements.

For those looking for employment or upskilling, single jobseeker recipients have received a $56.10 increase per fortnight, the largest single permanent dollar increase to the jobseeker benefit ever in Australia's history. Adult Abstudy recipients have also received this increase, and partnered jobseeker and parenting payment recipients have received an increase of $54.80.

Of course, for those who find work, we have legislation in the parliament now to ensure that people are not cheated and that workers receive proper protection and a fair day's pay for a fair day's work. For those looking for housing, despite those opposite—those in the Liberal and the National parties—voting against it, we have passed the Housing Australia Future Fund, which we were elected with a mandate to deliver. Additionally, over 1 million households will benefit from a 15 per cent increase in rent assistance.

For seniors, people living with disability, carers and veterans, as a result of indexation there have been substantial increases to the age pension, the disability support pension and the carer payment. Single veterans will have received an increase of $32.70, and those on the disability special rate have received an increase of $53 per fortnight. There will also be an increase in educational allowances for veterans and increases to income limits for the seniors health card and other benefits. Further, this government has extended eligibility for the higher rate of jobseeker to many people aged 55 years and over. And let's not forget that this is the government that has brought about cheaper medicines, taken measures to assist with energy price increases, supported minimum wage increases and supported a substantial increase in the wages of aged-care workers.

Next month, our targeted support for Medicare takes effect. Bulk billing is the beating heart of Medicare, and after nine years of cuts and neglect by the former government we know it's never been harder or more expensive to see a GP. That's why the Albanese Labor government is tripling the bulk-billing incentive—the largest ever increase in the 40-year history of Medicare.

Targeted support is not just a great thing for the individuals and families that will receive these benefits. In many cases, it also has an anti-inflationary effect. It enables spending on essentials and small businesses, and it is good for the economy at large. The increase in financial support that the Albanese government is providing during these difficult times is about meeting the needs of families around this country, helping individuals experiencing stress and enabling people to live their lives and access opportunities with dignity. (Time expired)

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