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

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that when the Coronavirus Supplement was first introduced at the rate of $550 a fortnight it had a transformational impact on people's lives and lifted millions out of poverty;

(b) acknowledges that the Government's continued cuts to the Coronavirus Supplement are driving poverty rates up in Australia to above pre-pandemic levels;

(c) recognises that the withdrawal of income support measures is premature and will set back our economic recovery and further entrench poverty;

(d) further acknowledges that the old rate of the Jobseeker Payment meant that people were left with as little as $7 a day after paying rent; and

(e) calls on the Government to announce a permanent and ongoing increase to the Jobseeker Payment and Youth Allowance before the Coronavirus Supplement ends on 31 March 2021 to ensure all Australians can live in dignity and not in poverty.

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 has extended 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 complements the $251 billion in direct economic support already committed by the government. The government's priority is to get Australians back to work.

Malcolm Roberts (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask for you to split the motion into two parts: part 1 is (a), (b), (c), (d) and part 2 is (e).

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

The question is that paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) of motion No. 960 be agreed to.

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

The question now is that paragraph (e) of motion No. 960 be agreed to.

Question agreed to.