STATEMENTS BY SENATORS

Senator PAYMAN (Western Australia—Australia's Voice Whip) (13:48): I wake up every day grateful that I live in this lucky country, but I also fear that what makes us the lucky country is being worn down. The notion of a fair go is being whittled away bit by bit. The Sunday Times reported on the weekend that more than 15 per cent of Western Aussies are living in poverty.

Shockingly, that number also includes almost 100,000 kids. Why is this happening in the wealthiest state in one of the richest countries in the world? I'm super aware of how privileged I am financially, and I have a whole community of people around me to help navigate new motherhood, but, like I mentioned last sitting, being a new mum is not easy.

It's the most challenging thing I've ever had to do. I don't know how the hell families, particularly single mums, are navigating these challenges in the middle of a cost-of-living and housing crisis even on regular incomes. For those below the poverty line, it's much, much worse.

JobSeeker and other forms of welfare have not seen any substantial increases, despite promises from the Labor Party when they were in opposition. Then there are mums in remote WA. They already have the added burdens of the lack of access to services.

But I guess it's okay; they get an extra $9 a week via the remote area allowance—nine bucks a week! Sure, they could cut the avo toast, but—I had a quick look—an avo toast is $15 in Broome and $16 in Carnarvon. It's time to increase JobSeeker, it's time to increase the remote area allowance and it's time for the Labor government to return to their roots and to the promises they made before they were in power.