26th Aug 2020, 4:17 PM – Senate Motions - Pensions and Benefits - End pension freeze
Summary
EditThe majority voted against a motion introduced by Tasmanian Senator Anne Urquhart (Labor), which means it failed.
Motion text
That the Senate—
(a) notes that:
(i) the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment and many other social security payments will not be indexed by the Government in September,
(ii) the last time pensions were not indexed was almost a quarter of a century ago,
(iii) this will mean that pensions will be frozen for at least a year,
(iv) the cost of fresh fruit and vegetables has increased by over 5% in the past six months and the out-of-pocket cost of seeing a GP has increased $11 under this Government, and
(v) record low interest rates are hurting pensioners with modest savings; and
(b) calls on the Government to treat pensioners fairly, by ending the Prime Minister's pension freeze.
Votes Not passed by a small majority
Nobody rebelled against their party.
| Party | Votes | |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Greens (50% turnout) | 4 Yes – 0 No | |
| Mehreen Faruqi NSW | Yes | |
| Sarah Hanson-Young SA | Yes | |
| Nick McKim Tasmania | Yes | |
| Rachel Siewert WA | Yes | |
| Janet Rice Victoria | Absent | |
| Jordon Steele-John WA | Absent | |
| Larissa Waters Queensland | Absent | |
| Peter Whish-Wilson Tasmania | Absent | |
| Australian Labor Party (60% turnout) | 15 Yes – 0 No | |
| Tim Ayres NSW | Yes | |
| Catryna Bilyk Tasmania | Yes | |
| Kim Carr Victoria | Yes | |
| Anthony Chisholm Queensland | Yes | |
| Don Farrell SA | Yes | |
| Katy Gallagher ACT | Yes | |
| Nita Green Queensland | Yes | |
| Malarndirri McCarthy NT | Yes | |
| Deborah O'Neill NSW | Yes | |
| Helen Polley Tasmania | Yes | |
| Louise Pratt WA | Yes | |
| Tony Sheldon NSW | Yes | |
| Anne Urquhart Tasmania | Yes | |
| Jess Walsh Victoria | Yes | |
| Murray Watt Queensland | Yes | |
| Carol Brown Tasmania | Absent | |
| Raff Ciccone Victoria | Absent | |
| Patrick Dodson WA | Absent | |
| Alex Gallacher SA | Absent | |
| Kristina Keneally NSW | Absent | |
| Kimberley Kitching Victoria | Absent | |
| Jenny McAllister NSW | Absent | |
| Marielle Smith SA | Absent | |
| Glenn Sterle WA | Absent | |
| Penny Wong SA | Absent | |
| Stirling Griff SA Centre Alliance | Yes | |
| Rex Patrick SA Centre Alliance | Yes | |
| Sam McMahon NT Country Liberal Party | Absent | |
| Sue Lines WA Deputy President | Yes | |
| Rex Patrick SA Independent | Absent | |
| Jacqui Lambie Tasmania Jacqui Lambie Network | No | |
| Liberal National Party (50% turnout) | 0 Yes – 1 No | |
| James McGrath Queensland | No | |
| Matthew Canavan Queensland | Absent | |
| Liberal Party (69% turnout) | 0 Yes – 20 No | |
| Simon Birmingham SA | No | |
| Andrew Bragg NSW | No | |
| Slade Brockman WA | No | |
| Michaelia Cash WA | No | |
| Claire Chandler Tasmania | No | |
| Richard Colbeck Tasmania | No | |
| Mathias Cormann WA | No | |
| Jonathon Duniam Tasmania | No | |
| Hollie Hughes NSW | No | |
| Jane Hume Victoria | No | |
| Andrew McLachlan SA | No | |
| Jim Molan NSW | No | |
| James Paterson Victoria | No | |
| Gerard Rennick Queensland | No | |
| Anne Ruston SA | No | |
| Paul Scarr Queensland | No | |
| Zed Seselja ACT | No | |
| Dean Smith WA | No | |
| Amanda Stoker Queensland | No | |
| David Van Victoria | No | |
| Eric Abetz Tasmania | Absent | |
| Alex Antic SA | Absent | |
| Wendy Askew Tasmania | Absent | |
| David Fawcett SA | Absent | |
| Concetta Fierravanti-Wells NSW | Absent | |
| Sarah Henderson Victoria | Absent | |
| Matt O'Sullivan WA | Absent | |
| Marise Payne NSW | Absent | |
| Linda Reynolds WA | Absent | |
| National Party (67% turnout) | 0 Yes – 2 No | |
| Perin Davey NSW | No | |
| Bridget McKenzie Victoria | No | |
| Susan McDonald Queensland | Absent | |
| Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party (0% turnout) | Absent | |
| Pauline Hanson Queensland | Absent | |
| Malcolm Roberts Queensland | Absent | |
| Scott Ryan Victoria President | No | |
| Totals (63% turnout) | 22 Yes – 25 No |
Turnout is the percentage of members eligible to vote that did vote.