Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Hansard source

The government will be opposing this amendment. This amendment is unnecessary. The legislation already allows for the government to include additional cohorts of people on income support payments through a legislative instrument if and when required. People receiving other payments are provided income support for other reasons. At this point, the government is focused on providing additional support to jobseekers. The coronavirus supplement is designed to cushion the impact of any downturn in the economy on workers and people looking for work, people on jobseeker payment and youth allowance (other) for the purpose of looking for work. We understand the labour market will likely face, or will be facing, significant challenges over coming months.

In order to assist current income support recipients, people on other payments will be eligible for the first and second economic support payment—$750 each time. We have the ability, under the legislation we're putting to the parliament, to make additional payments eligible for the coronavirus supplement. We will keep a close eye on economic conditions and what is occurring in Australia and make appropriate, prudent and measured decisions to respond to circumstances as they continue to evolve.