ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact

The Leader of the Opposition has kind of perhaps maybe thrown his support behind increasing the Newstart allowance should Labor win the next election.

Anthony Albanese explained that the nation’s unemployment benefit needs to be raised by a bit because it’s too low for people to have some semblance of a life.

He spoke briefly to the media today in Sydney’s rough-and-tumble heartland out under the flightpaths.

“Labor supports raising the Newstart allowance by, ah, $95. I think. Or is it $75? Or what that what bloody Ed Husic was saying last year? I can’t remember,”

“Anyway ladies and gentlemen, I think the biggest takeaway from this press conference this afternoon is that Labor supports increasing the Newstart allowance. I think. Actually, I’m not sure,”

“I don’t know, I don’t want to piss off those older Australians who are open to a bit off Hawke style Labor governance. We’ll poll them and then release our official stand on the issue then. Ok, righto, folks. Thank you.”

More to come.