This afternoon the Senate had the opportunity to speak on the Government’s response to the Centrelink robo-debt Inquiry which was tabled out of session last month.

“Given that it is Anti-Poverty week it was quite poignant that we were discussing the Government's appalling approach to some of the most vulnerable members of our community who were subject to the robo-debt debacle, Australian Greens spokesperson on Community Services Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

Australia should be ashamed that one in six children live below the poverty line and almost half of all children living in poverty are in single parent households. Anti-Poverty week should be a wakeup call to the Government that they need to act on poverty in our country, Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

It is outrageous that the Government will be staffing Centrelink call centres with private contractors, Australian Greens spokesperson on Community Services Senator Rachel Siewert said today. 
 
“While it seems that the Government is finally admitting that staffing of Centrelink call centres is inadequate, it is beyond comprehension that they would seek to ameliorate this problem through employing private contractors.
 
“We saw how that worked out when they contracted private debt collectors. 
 

The Government response to the Centrelink robo-debt Inquiry report is grossly inadequate and shows contempt for the thousands of Australians affected by this debacle, Australian Greens spokesperson on Community Services Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

"It is frankly insulting to the people who gave evidence at the inquiry to be referred to in this response as third parties looking to score political points. The comments that the Chair's report relied on evidence that was inaccurate is insulting to those who gave evidence.

News that the cashless welfare card will be rolled out across the Hinkler electorate next year will be incredibly distressing for members of that community that desperately do not want the card, Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said today. 

“The Government has consistently insisted the card won’t get ahead in a region where there is not community support. I have met many, many people in the Hinkler region that do not want the card, why have they been ignored? 

The Australian Greens welcome the WA State Government’s ex gratia payment and formal apology to the family of Ms Dhu.

“Although this will not bring back Ms Dhu and the family will continue to experience deep grief from her avoidable death, I hope these steps made by the McGowan Government offers some solace.

“Moves to implement a comprehensive Custody Notification Service in Western Australia are a welcome step and I agree that Aboriginal deaths in custody will dramatically reduce or stop altogether once implemented. This has been evidenced interstate.

I welcome the City of Moreland joining the push to change the date of Australia Day to ensure everyone is welcome, Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

“It is clear that the current date for Australia Day is seen as a day of invasion for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, it is considered a day of grieving for many.

“We are kind and inclusive nation and simply moving the day to a date where everyone can celebrate this wonderful country makes sense. 

The group of Federal National MPs campaigning to apply the cashless welfare card to Newstart recipients shows a true disconnect from those in their communities struggling to get by, Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

“These National MPs are sat in their offices vilifying members of the community struggling to find work, they should get out there and talk to the people they are demonising and want to restrict how they manage their money.

I would like to congratulate my dear friend and colleague Senator Rachel Siewert for winning the prestigious Missen Award for integrity in politics.

Rachel has been an outstanding advocate and member of parliament, who has dedicated her time as a Senator to assisting the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in our community.

It is pretty well known in Parliament House across party lines that Rachel is one of the hardest working Senators in this place.

As a senate committee chair she has a reputation for getting consensus on committee reports that lead to real outcomes.

The Australian Greens are calling on the Nick Xenophon Team to resist negotiations and oppose the welfare reform bill as a whole in the Senate. 

“I’m glad Rebekha Sharkie has called a spade a spade when it comes to this bill, saying the drug testing was ‘devoid of logic’ and other measures in the bill would leave vulnerable kids without food on the table”, Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said today.