Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

Similar to the comments I made yesterday, whilst there is a lot of sympathy for the motion as it is drafted, I really think it is worthy of an opportunity for longer debate. We have been on the record as being in support of a permanent increase to jobseeker, so it's not about that; it's about the opportunity to have a full debate, which this part of the program simply doesn't allow. But we do support the vibe of the motion, and the—

Senator Siewert interjecting—

Well, we have called for a permanent increase to jobseeker. We've been on the record with that for a long time. We've passed motions in this place. But I really think, going forward with the economic response to COVID-19, it is worthy, when we are considering some of these issues, of other members in this place—or all of us—being given the opportunity for a larger and longer debate.