The Greens have repeated their call for the Government to reform the ParentsNext program and make it voluntary after whistleblowers on ABC's Background Briefing have come out showing how dysfunctional the program is, just one year after it's rollout. 

"The nature of the program and outsourcing services to private for profit providers is a recipe for disaster", Senator Rachel Siewert said.

A Greens motion to send Centrelink’s compliance program including “robo-debt” to a Senate inquiry has been supported by the Senate today.
 
“It’s been more than two years since I chaired the first hearing of the Senate inquiry into the notorious robo-debt program”, Australian Greens spokesperson on Family and Community Services Senator Rachel Siewert said.
 
“We heard a lot of evidence. There were nine hearings across Australia, and what will always stick with me, is that at every hearing, we heard about the impacts of the program. 
 

The Greens have welcomed the Nationals interest in an increase to Newstart, but have rejected tying any increase to Newstart with the cashless debit card.
 
“People on income support are some of the best money managers, because every single dollar counts when you are on a low income.
 
“Just because people are unemployed doesn’t mean that they can’t manage their finances. It is insulting and paternalistic to consider otherwise.
 
“Increasing Newstart must not be a vehicle for expanding the cashless debit card in this country.
 

Senator Rachel Siewert and Senator Patrick Dodson’s reference to senate inquiry on the adequacy of Newstart and related payments has today been supported by the Senate.
 
“I’m very pleased that the Senate has supported our reference to the Community Affairs References Committee”, Australian Greens spokesperson on Family and Community Services Senator Rachel Siewert said today.
 
“This week we’ve had people from all sides of politics come out in support of an increase to Newstart which has not had a real term increase since 1994.
 

A Greens motion to increase Newstart has passed the Senate today.

Following the reporting of the Coalition’s new low of interfering with a Parliamentary committee in regards to recommendations on Newstart, the Australian Greens have renewed their call for an independent process to set income support rates.
 
“If correct it is appalling that Minster Fletcher intervened in the work of the Committee and shows exactly why we need an independent body to set income support rates”, Australian Greens spokesperson on Family and Community Services Senator Rachel Siewert said.
 

The Senate has today voted down Senator Siewert and Senator Dodson’s joint motion calling on the Government to urgently legislate to raise the criminal age of responsibility to a minimum of 14 years old.
 

The Senate will today debate Senator Rachel Siewert’s private member’s bill Social Services Legislation Amendment (Ending the Poverty Trap) Bill 2018 that will increase Newstart, Youth Allowance and other payments by $75 a week.

WHEN: Monday 22 July 2019 at 10am in the Senate Chamber

The Greens are today calling on the Government to urgently suspend the operation of the robo-debt program in Townsville.

“How heartless and insensitive can this Government get? ,” Australian Greens spokesperson on Family and Community Services Senator Rachel Siewert said.

“While people are coping with what is one of the most stressful and traumatic times in their lives, a natural disaster, their Government are chasing them down for money they probably don’t even owe.