QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator ALLMAN-PAYNE (Queensland) (14:43): My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Senator Watt. Hundreds of thousands of people on income support are being forced to spend their limited incomes travelling to appointments, Work for the Dole sites and other compulsory activities under a welfare compliance regime that multiple reports have found is both counterproductive and legally dubious.

During previous crises, governments have sensibly paused so-called mutual obligations to lift the burden on people most at risk. Given fuel prices are skyrocketing and welfare recipients are once again bearing the brunt of economic upheaval, will the government suspend mutual obligations and give relief to people forced to live on below-the-poverty-line payments?

The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Allman-Payne. I should have indicated to the chamber that Senator Payman passed that question on to Senator Allman-Payne. Minister Watt.