Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Strengthening the Safety Net) Bill 2023

The majority voted against amendments introduced by Victorian Senator Janet Rice, which means they failed.

What did these amendments do?

Senator Rice explained that:

These are our amendments to raise the rate of income support to above the poverty line, to at least $88 a day, so that people who are living on income support can live a life of dignity, can afford to put food on the table, can afford to pay for their medications, can afford to pay for their kids' shoes and can afford to put a roof over their head so that they are not consigned to living in tents or living in cars ...

These amendments would also reduce the age at which people are considered to be independent and able to receive the full rate of income support, from 21 to 18. It would have a big impact on many people who currently are not able to get student allowance and youth allowance, to be able to receive those benefits. It would make a massive difference to the lives of thousands of young people in Australia today. These amendments would also double the maximum rate of Commonwealth rent assistance from what is being proposed in this bill.