Christian Porter (Pearce, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the amendment be disagreed to.

Linda Burney (Barton, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I want every single person on the other side of this House to listen to what I've got to say, because this is your parting message to the people of this country—the people who have lost their jobs and the people who are unemployed. The Prime Minister's decision to oppose this amendment is a rotten Christmas present for 1.8 million Australians. It's cruel and it's an insight into the true nature of the government. By opposing this amendment, the government is telling Australians that the rate of unemployment payments will go back to the old Newstart rate in March—no ifs, no buts. In the other place, the government told Labor that you would support this amendment when it came back to the House, but you've reneged. That's what you've done: you've reneged. What does that say about this government? What does it say about this Prime Minister? Let's reflect on what this amendment will actually do.

Government Member:

A government member interjecting—

Linda Burney (Barton, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You might think it's funny, but people who are unemployed won't, friend. They just won't. So I suggest that you listen to what I've got to say. What does it say about this Prime Minister? Let's reflect on what this amendment will actually do. It will allow the minister to continue paying the coronavirus supplement after March next year. By refusing to accept this amendment, the government is saying that they do not even want the option of helping people who have lost their jobs. He is not the daggy dag he pretends to be—quite the opposite. This is another chance for the government to do the right thing, and, yet again, they have done the wrong thing by the Australians who need them the most.

Question agreed to.

Christian Porter (Pearce, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I present the reasons for the House of Representatives disagreeing to the amendment of the Senate, and I move:

That the reasons be adopted.

Question agreed to.