Liberal senator Dean Smith has broken ranks with the federal government to call for an increase to the Newstart payment.
WA Senator Dean Smith has become the first Liberal MP to publicly back an increase to the Newstart rate, joining a growing chorus of welfare advocates, economists and a former prime minister pushing for an increase.
West Australian Senator Dean Smith on Monday broke ranks with the Morrison government, which is refusing to heed growing calls to lift welfare payments for the unemployed.
“I am someone who believes the Newstart allowance amount must be more than reviewed – which was Labor’s lame position – it should be increased,” Senator Smith told the upper house.
He said Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe and Liberal ‘legend’ Mr Howard had provided a “very powerful starting point” in the Newstart debate, which should weigh heavily on the coalition.
“I do think that these matters should be top of mind. They do deserve careful consideration,” Senator Smith said.
The central bank governor has said raising Newstart would help stimulate the economy, while Mr Howard has stated the payment should no longer be frozen.
His comments came during debate on a Greens’ private bill to legislate a $75 a week increase to the payment, but Senator Smith stopped short of voting against party lines, describing the move as a “political stunt”.
Last week, former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce said the rate was so low some recipients may be forced to sell drugs for extra cash.
Earlier, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson also demanded a boost to the rate.
“Yes, I do,” Senator Hanson told reporters in Canberra on Monday, when asked if she wanted the Newstart allowance raised.
The payment is $555.70 a fortnight for a single person without children, leaving job-seekers which is worth about $40 a day.
Liberal senator Wendy Askew led the government’s rebuttal of raising the dole, repeating its mantra that “the best form of welfare is a job”.
“You can’t just wave a magic wand and give welfare recipients a few more dollars and say you’ve fixed the so-called poverty trap,” she said.
Labor senator Pat Dodson said the situation would not change without the government supporting a Newstart increase.
“The rate of Newstart is obviously too low and the government needs to raise it. It’s just not possible to live with dignity on $40 a day,” he said.
Finance Minister Mathias Cormann has stressed the payment is “transitional”.
“Most Australians who are on Newstart allowance are on that payment for a very short period,” he told local radio.
But data from the department of social services shows the average time people receive Newstart is 156 weeks, or three years.
SOURCE:AAP
