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representatives vote 2020-12-02#3
Edited by
mackay staff
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2020-12-11 12:48:54
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Title
Bills — Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Extension of Coronavirus Support) Bill 2020; Consideration in Detail- Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Extension of Coronavirus Support) Bill 2020 - Consideration in Detail - Discontinue support
Description
<p class="speaker">Linda Burney</p><p>I move opposition amendment (1):</p><p class="italic">(1) Schedule 1, page 3 (before line 5), before item 1, insert:</p>- The majority voted in favour of a motion to *disagree* with [amendment (1)](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Hansard/Hansard_Display?bid=chamber/hansardr/32f9c2b2-1ee9-4d5f-b741-8e194c4befdc/&sid=0000), which means that the amendment failed. According to Barton MP [Linda Burney](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/representatives/barton/linda_burney) (Labor), the amendment:
- > *will do three things: stop the government's planned cuts to the coronavirus supplement at Christmas; require the government to help pensioners, including those on the DSP and carer payment, with the extra costs of the pandemic; and require the government to announce a permanent increase to the base rate of the JobSeeker Payment.*
- ### Amendment text
- > *(1) Schedule 1, page 3 (before line 5), before item 1, insert:*
- >
- > *1A After Part 1.3B of Chapter 1*
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- > *Insert:*
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- > *Part 1.3C—Additional economic support payments to address inequities arising out of coronavirus pandemic*
- >
- > *38X Minister must consider what additional payments may be required*
- >
- > *As soon as practicable after this section commences, the Minister must consider whether to do any or all of the following:*
- >
- >> *(a) extend the COVID-19 supplement until 28 March 2021 at the amount of $250 per fortnight, in line with extensions to jobkeeper payments;*
- >>
- >> *(b) better support recipients of the age pension, disability support pension and carer payment who are facing increased costs to protect their health in the face of the coronavirus pandemic;*
- >>
- >> *(c) announce a permanent increase to the base rate of jobseeker payments.*
<p class="italic">1A After Part 1.3B of Chapter 1</p><p class="italic">Insert:</p><p class="italic">Part 1.3C—Additional economic support payments to address inequities arising out of coronavirus pandemic</p><p class="italic">38X Minister must consider what additional payments may be required</p><p class="italic">As soon as practicable after this section commences, the Minister must consider whether to do any or all of the following:</p><p class="italic">(a) extend the COVID-19 supplement until 28 March 2021 at the amount of $250 per fortnight, in line with extensions to jobkeeper payments;</p><p class="italic">(b) better support recipients of the age pension, disability support pension and carer payment who are facing increased costs to protect their health in the face of the coronavirus pandemic;</p><p class="italic">(c) announce a permanent increase to the base rate of jobseeker payments.</p><p>This amendment will do three things: stop the government's planned cuts to the coronavirus supplement at Christmas; require the government to help pensioners, including those on the DSP and carer payment, with the extra costs of the pandemic; and require the government to announce a permanent increase to the base rate of the JobSeeker Payment. We have had this debate in Australia for a long time. Now is the time for a permanent increase to unemployment support. It should be done, and this year it has been shown that it can be done. Why won't the government do the right thing? The reasons for a permanent increase are so compelling and so simple, and there are many on that side that agree with it.</p><p>Poverty is a real issue. It's a trap that prevents people from getting work, particularly older people. Because of poverty they can't get the right clothes. It takes the car off the road and it impacts on children and their education. Poverty doesn't allow for the cost of renting somewhere safe or leaving family violence. We should not have poverty in a country like Australia; I'm sure everyone in this place would agree with that statement. But it will take more than words.</p><p>The Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia said earlier today that, for the vast bulk of people who want a job right now, there aren't jobs available. There are some but the available jobs are dwarfed by the number of people who really want them. The people on unemployment payments spend pretty much everything they get. They simply have to. This is good for local businesses and jobs, especially in retail. The timing of the latest coronavirus supplement reduction from $250 per fortnight to $150 per fortnight gives this away. Christmas and the new year are difficult and expensive times for families. Support should not be cut and certainly not right at the time when families are already under the greatest pressure.</p><p>This is a reasonable and modest amendment. It gives the government the flexibility they need to set a rate and structure payments, taking into account expert advice, the budget position and the labour market. This is not a test; it is a genuine attempt to encourage and support a reasonable and timely increase to the base rate of the JobSeeker payment. I really hope the government considers it.</p> <p class="speaker">Tony Smith</p><p>The question is that opposition amendment (1) be disagreed to.</p>
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