Politicians who could hold crucial balance-of-power positions after the federal election have signed a joint pledge vowing to push for greater social supports.
More than 70 sitting and prospective MPs have put their names to a joint statement with the Australian Council of Social Service calling for increases to JobSeeker and Youth Allowance.
The list, made up of independents, Greens and other minor parties, includes Zali Steggall, Andrew Wilkie and senators Jacqui Lambie and David Pocock.
The council wants the JobSeeker and Youth Allowance payments, set at just $56 and $47 a day respectively, increased to at least $82.
Ms Steggall, who holds the Sydney seat of Warringah, said increases to the rates could form part of minority government talks.
A minority government in which neither major party has the required number of seats to govern in their own right is a possibility, although Labor has increased its two-party-preferred lead over the coalition in recent opinion polls.
"I will approach the question of minority government on a merits basis, I'm not interested in a deal and I don't want to be transactional about it," Ms Steggall said.
"Obviously the will of the Australian people will be telling on the 3rd of May and we need to have stable government.
"What I will be wanting to see will be either side's willingness to look at these major issues and inequities."
Mr Wilkie, an independent MP who holds the Hobart-based seat of Clark, said a raise to the rates was long overdue.
"To do anything else ... is just a deliberate act of cruelty," he said.
Labor and the coalition have indicated increases to Centrelink payments aren't on their immediate agenda.
At a televised debate on Tuesday night, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton talked up his party's cost-of-living relief including a 25 cent a litre cut to the fuel excise.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spruiked measures including tax cuts and a pledge to reduce student loans debt by 20 per cent.
A Labor spokesman said the party was committed to a strong social security safety net.
"We've said we'll look at payment rates as part of every budget and we'll continue to do that," they said.
An increase to JobSeeker and Youth Allowance would have the biggest impact, Ms Steggall said.
"We saw directly during COVID, when you bring support above the poverty line, people are in a better position to meet their essential needs and look for opportunities to enter the workforce," she said.
Research shows there are no affordable rentals for someone receiving JobSeeker or Youth Allowance and people receiving JobSeeker are 14 times more likely to go without a substantial meal a day.
"Australia is in the midst of a cost of living crisis, yet our income support system continues to trap people in poverty," council CEO Cassandra Goldie said.
