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One of the conference flash points, as we’ve alerted you to, has been whether or not the conference will agree to an increase in the Newstart payment. Left-faction delegate Darcy Byrne has been signalling for some months he would bring a motion to the floor arguing for an increase.



Given there’s been a motion drafted, there have been a range of discussions over the past few days. It’s been pretty obvious that the leadership did not want to be locked into an increase, given the fiscal implications. Increasing the payment would cost billions.

Given the reluctance of the leadership to go there, there will be no conference commitment to increase the payment.



The conference will, instead, agree to undertake a review into the payment within 18 months. I’m told the agreed motion will also commit the party to consulting unemployed people about the practical impact of trying to get by on such a low benefit.

