Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Newstart is too low. Labor knows this, but, unlike the Greens, we want to bring about change, not pull stunts. That's why Bill Shorten has committed to a root-and-branch review of Newstart. The truth is that if you want to see an increase to Newstart you've got to change the government.

How do you think the last major increase to social security came about? The Labor government commissioned the Harmer review into the adequacy of the pension. This was a proper policy process that was undertaken. Consultations with key stakeholders were held and it was paid for in the budget. As a result, pensions were increased by $30 a week, the biggest increase in history. One million Australians were lifted out of poverty. It didn't happen because of a stunt in the Senate from a minor party like the Greens; it happened because there was a Labor government in office.

We fully understand that Newstart hasn't seen an increase in real terms for more than 20 years. That's why we've worked so hard in the last two years to protect the energy supplement for vulnerable Australians on Newstart.