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

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) people living on Newstart and Youth Allowance find the festive season a particularly difficult time and they do not enjoy the same Christmas spirit as other Australians,

  (ii) the low rates of payments means they are unable to afford gifts and the additional costs associated with the festive season, resulting in exclusion from participating in seasonal activities and events,

  (iii) the social isolation and exclusion people feel when they cannot participate in their community or partake in family activities is devastating for their emotional and social well-being and sense of being part of the community, and

  (iv) this situation is particularly hard for children; and

(b) calls on the Federal Government to immediately increase Newstart and Youth Allowance so that people in our community are not isolated and excluded.

Question agreed to.