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

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) condemns the Government's announcement that it is cutting the Coronavirus Supplement to $150 a fortnight between January and March 2021 which will see people on the JobSeeker Payment and Youth Allowance drop further below the poverty line;

(b) notes that this Government is treating income support payments like a political football by making ad-hoc and last minute announcements to changes in payment rates, which is in stark comparison to the certainty provided to those on JobKeeper Payment; and

(c) calls on the Government to immediately announce a permanent and ongoing increase to the JobSeeker Payment and Youth Allowance that ensures no one receiving these payments falls below the poverty line.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) 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.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government is extending payment of the coronavirus supplement for a further three months from 1 January 2021, at a cost of $3.2 billion, to provide additional temporary support to Australians impacted by the pandemic. The extension of the coronavirus supplement and a range of enhanced eligibility criteria within the social services system complement the $507 billion worth of direct economic and balance sheet support already committed to by this government. The government's priority is to get Australians back to work, including through the JobKeeper program and the JobMaker program, as set out in the budget.

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

The question is that motion No. 846 be agreed to.