Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Before moving general business notice of motion No. 203, I ask that the name of Senator Marielle Smith be added to the motion. I, and also on behalf of Senator Marielle Smith, move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) this week is Anti-Poverty Week 2019,

  (ii) nearly one third of women over 65 live in poverty, with many experiencing or at risk of homelessness,

  (iii) according to the HILDA Statistical Report 2019, single elderly women are the lowest income family group and women aged over 65, were more likely than not to have experienced poverty in the previous 10 years,

  (iv) the effects of lower wages and time out of the workforce compound across women's working lives – on average, women retire with 47% less superannuation than men, and almost 35% of women aged between 60 and 65, have no superannuation at all, and

  (v) approximately 23% of Newstart recipients are aged between 55 and 64; and

(b) calls on the Federal Government to help reduce the poverty rate of older women in Australia by:

  (i) immediately increasing Newstart and related payments, and

  (ii) investing in social housing, including transitional and crisis housing, and

  (iii) taking action to close the gender retirement income gap.

Question agreed to.