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senate vote 2018-05-10#3
Edited by
mackay staff
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2018-05-11 14:20:55
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Title
Motions — Pensions and Benefits- Motions - Pensions and Benefits - Increase single rate of Newstart and Youth Allowance
Description
<p class="speaker">Rachel Siewert</p><p>I move:</p><p class="italic">That the Senate—</p>- The majority voted against a [motion](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?id=2018-05-10.136.2) introduced by the Greens Senator [Rachel Siewert](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/senate/wa/rachel_siewert) (WA), which means it failed.
- ### Motion text
- > *That the Senate—*
- > *(a) recognises that single rates of unemployment payments are completely inadequate to cover basic living costs;*
- > *(b) acknowledges that our social safety net currently fails to protect jobseekers from falling into poverty;*
- > *(c) notes that:*
- >> *(i) the Australian Council of Social Service has called for an increase of $75 a week to allowance payments for single people from 1 January 2019, and*
- >> *(ii) the 2018-19 Budget did not increase any allowance payments, including Newstart or Youth Allowance; and*
- > *(d) urges the Federal Government to increase the single rate of Newstart and Youth Allowance by $75 a week.*
<p class="italic">(a) recognises that single rates of unemployment payments are completely inadequate to cover basic living costs;</p><p class="italic">(b) acknowledges that our social safety net currently fails to protect jobseekers from falling into poverty;</p><p class="italic">(c) notes that:</p><p class="italic">(i) the Australian Council of Social Service has called for an increase of $75 a week to allowance payments for single people from 1 January 2019, and</p><p class="italic">(ii) the 2018-19 Budget did not increase any allowance payments, including Newstart or Youth Allowance; and</p><p class="italic">(d) urges the Federal Government to increase the single rate of Newstart and Youth Allowance by $75 a week.</p> <p class="speaker">Anthony Chisholm</p><p>I seek leave to make a short statement.</p> <p class="speaker">Sue Lines</p><p>Leave is granted for one minute.</p> <p class="speaker">Anthony Chisholm</p><p>Newstart is too low. Labor knows this, but, unlike the Greens, we want to bring about change, not pull stunts. That's why Bill Shorten has committed to a root-and-branch review of Newstart. The truth is that if you want to see an increase to Newstart you've got to change the government.</p><p>How do you think the last major increase to social security came about? The Labor government commissioned the Harmer review into the adequacy of the pension. This was a proper policy process that was undertaken. Consultations with key stakeholders were held and it was paid for in the budget. As a result, pensions were increased by $30 a week, the biggest increase in history. One million Australians were lifted out of poverty. It didn't happen because of a stunt in the Senate from a minor party like the Greens; it happened because there was a Labor government in office.</p><p>We fully understand that Newstart hasn't seen an increase in real terms for more than 20 years. That's why we've worked so hard in the last two years to protect the energy supplement for vulnerable Australians on Newstart.</p> <p class="speaker">Sue Lines</p><p>The question is that the motion as moved by Senator Siewert be agreed to. Those of that opinion, say aye—</p> <p class="speaker">Richard Di Natale</p><p>Madam Deputy President, I seek leave to make a short statement.</p> <p class="speaker">Sue Lines</p><p>Senator Di Natale, I've already started the vote. It's too late now. I'll put the question again—</p> <p class="speaker">Richard Di Natale</p><p>Can I seek leave once the vote has been conducted?</p> <p class="speaker">Sue Lines</p><p>Well, you can seek the call after the question, Senator Di Natale. The question is that the motion, as moved by Senate Siewert, be agreed to.</p>
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