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

I, and also on behalf of Senator Steele-John, move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that Disability Support Pension and Carer Payment recipients did not receive the $550 per week coronavirus supplement;

(b) recognises that disabled people and carers are:

  (i) experiencing higher vulnerability to COVID-19, disruption to essential supports and services, and increased economic insecurity during the pandemic,

  (ii) reporting increased living costs as a result of COVID-19 and increased economic insecurity, and

  (iii) more likely to be hit hardest by the recession because they are already disadvantaged within the labour market;

(c) acknowledges that 40% of people on the Disability Support Pension, and 20% of people on Carer Payment are living below the poverty line; and

(d) calls on the Government to immediately provide additional financial support to Disability Support Pension and Carer Payment recipients, and ensure its COVID-19 recovery plan includes specific strategies to support disabled people and carers.

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 government is providing disability support pension and carer payment recipients with two $750 economic support payments to provide additional support in the context of the coronavirus outbreak.

Question agreed to.