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

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that the Government is cutting the Coronavirus Supplement by $300 a fortnight from 25 September 2020;

(b) acknowledges that there is uncertainty around the future rate of the Coronavirus Supplement after 31 December 2020, which is causing significant distress and anxiety for Australians;

(c) recognises that it is irresponsible to cut income support payments at this time, especially as the effective unemployment rate is predicted to hit 13% by the end of the year; and

(d) calls on the Government to maintain the current rate of the Coronavirus Supplement of $550 a fortnight to ensure unemployed Australians receive adequate support.

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 enhanced support to the Australian community through a three-month extension of the Coronavirus Supplement to 31 December 2020. The Coronavirus Supplement is one element of the government's $314 billion economic response to the pandemic and builds on the support provided through expanded eligibility for payments, cash flow support to business, enhanced incentives to work and of course the JobKeeper program.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) 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.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Similar to the comments I made yesterday, whilst there is a lot of sympathy for the motion as it is drafted, I really think it is worthy of an opportunity for longer debate. We have been on the record as being in support of a permanent increase to jobseeker, so it's not about that; it's about the opportunity to have a full debate, which this part of the program simply doesn't allow. But we do support the vibe of the motion, and the—

Senator Siewert interjecting—

Well, we have called for a permanent increase to jobseeker. We've been on the record with that for a long time. We've passed motions in this place. But I really think, going forward with the economic response to COVID-19, it is worthy, when we are considering some of these issues, of other members in this place—or all of us—being given the opportunity for a larger and longer debate.

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

The question is that the motion moved by Senator Siewert be agreed to. I think the noes have it. Is a division required?

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

While I would like to call a division, I appreciate the problems we are having. I'm extremely disappointed to hear the comments from the Labor Party. But given that they've indicated that they won't support it and the government's indicated that they won't support it, I won't call a division, but I would like it recorded that we supported it, of course.

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

Thank you, Senator Siewert. The chamber appreciates the courtesy.