Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

In 2019, the government spent in excess of $200 billion supporting Australians through our very comprehensive welfare system. I can assure you, Senator McAllister, in 2020, the amount of support that has been provided to the Australian public who find themselves on tough times will be significantly higher than that $200 billion that was spent in the previous year, because we as a government—with the support of those opposite and everyone in this chamber and the other place—voted to support Australians with elevated levels of payment during that time.

In response to your question, the government have stood side by side with Australians who have done it tough through this pandemic. We remain side by side with those people, and we will continue to support them for as long as is needed. (Time expired)