news, federal-politics, alicia payne, labor, canberra, ACT Labor, Newstart

Alicia Payne has called on the government to increase Newstart as an urgent priority, in her first speech in the House of Representatives on Wednesday. The newly-elected member for Canberra used her first speech to draw attention to Australia's treatment of asylum seekers, as well as Australia's history of the social safety net. While Ms Payne said Australia should be proud of introducing the age pension, and measures taken by the Hawke government to address child poverty, she said the system is falling behind now. "Our social security system has long failed to provide adequate support to the unemployed, to a point that for many, dire poverty is impeding their ability to find work," Ms Payne said. "The Newstart Allowance is too low and the Government should review it as an urgent priority." She said welfare isn't a preferable option to working, but that society needed to be able to help those who needed it. "Part of the battle is against the disinformation and demonisation of social security and those receiving it. Dispelling these myths is a battle I commit myself to." First speeches are traditionally a moment for new representatives to explain their experience, why they ran for parliament, and what issues they wish to focus on. Ms Payne drew attention to her experience as an activist while studying at university in Sydney, campaigning for changes in Australia's refugee policy. "At the time, we were protesting because the detention centres were run by private companies, and because people, particularly children, were suffering major mental and physical health impacts while in detention," she said. "I never would have imagined that almost twenty years later our nation's treatment of asylum seekers would have actually deteriorated." "We have an obligation as human beings to treat people better than this." Ms Payne said she was proud to be from Canberra, and explained how both her sets of grandparents moved to the area, and how her parents met while both studying at the Australian National University - "a proud Canberra tradition". Fellow ACT MPs Andrew Leigh and David Smith were in the house to hear the speech, and Senator Katy Gallagher visited from the Senate. Former community services minister Jenny Macklin was in the public gallery, and Ms Payne paid tribute to the support of her former boss. Reflecting on why she joined the Labor party, Ms Payne said she was angered by changes introduced by the Howard government to move single mothers to Newstart when their youngest child turned eight, as well as the introduction of WorkChoices. Explaining her background as an economist, a public servant and a political staffer, Ms Payne said her work had been dedicated to finding policy solution to poverty and inequality. "My belief in the power of good policy and the difference it makes in people's lives is what brings me to this place," she said.

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