Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf of Senators Dodson and Siewert, move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) Anti-Poverty Week runs from 13 to 19 October 2019,

(ii) the Productivity Commission has found that two-thirds of low­ income renters in Australia are in rental stress – spending more than 30% of their income on rent,

(iii) 170,000 Australian households are left with less than $35 a day after covering their rent, and

(iv) the Productivity Commission has stated that Commonwealth Rent Assistance has not kept up with rising rents; and

(b) calls on the Federal Government to review the adequacy of Commonwealth Rent Assistance.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) 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.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Morrison government understands that having a roof over your head and food on the table is crucial to the welfare of all Australians. That's why we spend $4.6 billion in Commonwealth Rent Assistance and provide states and territories more than $1.5 billion a year, through the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement, to support their delivery of key services as well as invest approximately $300 million annually in the National Rental Affordability Scheme as part of our comprehensive approach to social security and welfare.

Question agreed to.