Politicians are asked if they could you live on $39 a day

The one question that Liberal and Labor leaders refused to answer in fiery Q&A debate about Centrelink payments for the unemployed Tanya Plibersek was quizzed about $39-a-day unemployment support payment  She said her party wants to review Newstart and so she could not give answer  Liberal Party's Simon Birmingham said it would be hard to live on $39 a day 

By Charlie Moore For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 01:46 BST, 14 May 2019 | Updated: 01:46 BST, 14 May 2019

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Labor and Liberal Party politicians on Monday night refused to commit to increasing the Centrelink allowance for unemployed Australians.

Labor deputy leader Tanya Plibersek was quizzed about the government's current $39-a-day Newstart unemployment support payment on Q&A.

She said her party wanted to review Newstart and so she could not give an immediate answer on whether it would be increased.

Audience member Molly Yates (pictured) asked about Newstart on the show on Monday night

Audience member Molly Yates (pictured) asked about Newstart on the show on Monday night

The topic was brought up by a 26-year-old woman in the audience named Molly Yates. 

She said: 'The University of Canberra recommends raising it by $75 a week, which, according to their modelling, would cost about $2billion. 

'Could you live on $39 a day? And (will you) commit to an immediate raise of the rate of Newstart?'

Ms Plibersek replied: 'I couldn't live on $39 a day. I accept that it is really difficult and the reason we're doing a review of Newstart is because we understand that people are not just living in poverty but it's preventing them getting out of

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