Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) the buying power of Newstart has barely changed since 1994-95, while the buying power of the median household disposable income has increased 55% during the same period,

  (ii) since 2006, successive governments have made cuts to income support for sole parents moving them onto Newstart when their youngest child turns 8,

  (iii) the ACOSS and UNSW Poverty in Australia 2018 report revealed that the poverty rate for people on Newstart has risen by 17% in the last 16 years, and

  (iv) the cumulative effect of the policy changes since 2006 has left sole parents still on Parenting Payment Single, with two younger children, nearly $85 a fortnight worse off; and

(b) calls on the Federal Government to increase Newstart and to reverse the policy changes that have left sole parents worse off. (general business notice of motion no. 1300)

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The best form of welfare is a job. The Liberal-National coalition has created more than 1.1 million jobs since coming to government. The government will continue to promote policies which improve employment opportunities for those on Newstart and youth allowance as well as continue to index those payments twice a year.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that motion No. 1300 be agreed to.