Newstart and Youth Allowance

The majority voted against a motion introduced by West Australian Senator Rachel Siewert (Greens), which means it failed.

Motion text

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) there are approximately 3 million people in Australia living in poverty, including over 700,000 children,

(ii) Australia has no poverty reduction plan and, despite economic growth, poverty levels have remained high,

(iii) Newstart and Youth Allowance have not had an increase in real terms for over 25 years,

(iv) recipients of these income support payments are unable to cover basic living costs such as housing, food, transport, healthcare and utilities,

(v) income inequality and poverty has significant negative effects on individuals' physical and mental wellbeing and society, and

(vi) poverty in early childhood can lead to poorer life outcomes; and

(b) calls on the Federal Government to make it a priority to help address poverty in Australia by raising Newstart and Youth Allowance by $75 a week.