Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

At the request of Senator McCarthy, I move:

That the Senate–

(a) notes that:

  (i) since the start of the coronavirus crisis, the number of people receiving unemployment benefits has increased by over 500,000, to more than 1.3 million,

  (ii) the Department of Social Services expects 1.7 million people to be relying on JobSeeker Payment by September this year,

  (iii) the Government has temporarily increased the JobSeeker Payment, through the Coronavirus Supplement, but only until 24 September 2020,

  (iv) the base rate of JobSeeker Payment – previously Newstart – is too low – it traps people in poverty and prevents them from getting work because they cannot afford essentials like transport, training, clothes, equipment and housing; and

  (v) Deloitte Access Economics has warned the Government against the rapid withdrawal of support, and stated that, at the end of the Coronavirus Supplement period; "there is an obvious case to keep JobSeeker at a higher rate than NewStart"; and

(b) calls on the Federal Government to:

  (i) release economic modelling showing the impact on jobs and the economy of suddenly and completely stopping the Coronavirus Supplement, and

  (ii) increase the base rate of the JobSeeker Payment when the Coronavirus Supplement ends, to keep people out of poverty and ensure they can get work when it is available.