Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Storer for that further supplementary question. As I said, the government wants a welfare system that supports the most vulnerable, that encourages those capable of working and, most importantly, reduces intergenerational welfare dependency, and we want to make it sustainable into the future. We want to encourage people to either work or study. I think it's important to note that, when we look at those on welfare, we consider them in their entirety. As I said, 99 per cent of Newstart recipients receive additional payments, additional supplements, based on their circumstances as part of our strong social security system. This includes providing rent assistance to those in the private rental market of up to $176 per fortnight for families. That equates to about $4,500 a year. (Time expired)