QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator GALLAGHER (Australian Capital Territory—Minister for Finance, Minister for the Public Service, Minister for Women, Minister for Government Services and Manager of Government Business in the Senate) (14:34): I thank Senator Allman-Payne for the question. I haven't read the report that Senator Allman-Payne refers to, so I can't comment on the numbers that she cites in her question.

What I can say is that, under this government, we have created 1.3 million jobs across the economy. We believe, in the Labor Party, that a job is more than just an income; it's about dignity, a sense of connection to the community, and self-esteem. We are the party of job creation, and we have focused investments and resources into ensuring that jobs—and good, secure jobs—are created and that those good, secure jobs are paid well.

In fact, when those opposite complain about spending, a significant amount of spending and new investment this government has made has been into increasing wages of the lowest paid in this economy. Twenty-five billion dollars are going into increasing the wages of those workers who have been undervalued and underpaid for way too long. In relation to your question on JobSeeker, since coming to government, the rate of JobSeeker has risen by more than $4,700 a year for a single, no dependent, individual.

That means it has increased by $182 per fortnight, from $651 per fortnight to $833 per fortnight. We have also increased the rates of youth allowance, Austudy, Commonwealth rent assistance, and single parenting payment—for those, to extend it to children of higher ages. We have also provided significant support to the community sector and organisations who support— (Time expired)