Bass Liberal MHR Bridget Archer has described mutual obligations as "meaningless" as she continues to lobby her government counterparts to keep the JobSeeker rate above pre-COVID levels.
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The federal government is expected to announce a decision on the JobSeeker rate going forward in the coming days, with the Australian Council of Social Services calling for $65 per day and the Australian Unemployed Workers' Union wanting $80 per day.
The pre-COVID base rate was $40 per day, when the payment was known as the Newstart Allowance - a level that has not increased in real terms since 1994.
Ms Archer has been a vocal critic of the pre-COVID level, as well as other aspects of Australia's unemployment system, which she believes is too onerous on people seeking work.
She said she is continuing to lobby for JobSeeker to stay above its former level.
"I will continue to lobby for a permanent increase in the rate and for reform more broadly, for example around jobactive and (meaningless) mutual obligations as I have since being elected," Ms Archer said.
"These are issues that constituents raise regularly with me."
The expenditure review committee in cabinet has been considering a range of options in recent weeks as the government seeks to lock in the long-term future of JobSeeker and JobKeeper post-COVID.
Labor supported an increase to Newstart at the last election, but would not name a precise figure.
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Tasmanian Labor senator Helen Polley said the level "should ensure Australians looking for work are able to live with dignity".
"Labor is in favour of a permanent rise in JobSeeker because it will boost economic activity coming out of the pandemic and provide vital assistance to people who are trying to make ends meet," she said.
"It's up to the government to determine how much it will need to increase by, they have access to the modelling. But one thing is for sure, it simply can't go back to the old base rate."
Tasmania outside of Hobart had one of Australia's tightest job markets in mid-2020 when comparing job advertisements with the number of people claiming JobSeeker.
Last month, the Internet Vacancy Index showed there were 17 people receiving JobSeeker for every job vacancy in Tasmania, far above the national average.
Premier Peter Gutwein said he wanted to "have a growing economy" to "provide jobs".
"Obviously we hope that people on JobSeeker will move into the workforce, and that's obviously a key focus of my government," he said.
"We would always encourage the federal government to provide more support where necessary."