Michael McCormack says people in regional areas should move out of their home towns to find a job in response to calls to raise Newstart.
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has told unemployed Australians to show some “innovative spirit” and leave their home town to find a job.
Rebutting growing calls for the Newstart payment to be increased, the Nationals leader said there were “many jobs” available for people prepared to move.
“There are jobs out there in regional Australia and there are good paying jobs and what I think we do need in this country is a more mobile workforce," Mr McCormack told Sky News.
“And so people have to be prepared to move sometimes out of their comfort zone and their home town and move to the next town to take a job.”
Mr McCormack is facing pressure from backbenchers within his own party to raise the Newstart rate, which has not risen above inflation in more than two decades.
His predecessor Barnaby Joyce last week backed the campaign to lift the rate, arguing it was particularly tough for unemployed people in regional areas.
"Certainly $555 or thereabouts a fortnight is difficult, especially in regional areas,” Mr Joyce said.
“Especially if your rent's $250 a week, well, you're not really going to get by."
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has told unemployed Australians to show some “innovative spirit” and leave their home town to find a job.
Rebutting growing calls for the Newstart payment to be increased, the Nationals leader said there were “many jobs” available for people prepared to move.
“There are jobs out there in regional Australia and there are good paying jobs and what I think we do need in this country is a more mobile workforce," Mr McCormack told Sky News.
“And so people have to be prepared to move sometimes out of their comfort zone and their home town and move to the next town to take a job.”
Mr McCormack is facing pressure from backbenchers within his own party to raise the Newstart rate, which has not risen above inflation in more than two decades.
His predecessor Barnaby Joyce last week backed the campaign to lift the rate, arguing it was particularly tough for unemployed people in regional areas.
"Certainly $555 or thereabouts a fortnight is difficult, especially in regional areas,” Mr Joyce said.
“Especially if your rent's $250 a week, well, you're not really going to get by."
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