Minister nixes independent welfare umpire

The social services minister has slapped down a plan to establish an independent umpire to review how much Australians on welfare are paid, saying the government won't "outsource" the system.

An independent social security commission would be created under a private member's bill introduced to parliament on Monday by Victorian independent MP Cathy McGowan.

The authority would bring "compassion and fairness" to the welfare system by advising the government on how much people should be paid to ensure an acceptable standard of living.

"It will provide independent, expert, and evidence-based advice on what is fair and adequate," Ms McGowan told the lower house on Monday.

Social Services Minister Dan Tehan told Ms Gowan in Question Time that her idea did not have the coalition's support.

"The government is not going to outsource our welfare system because it is far too important," he told parliament.

Mr Tehan said government policies helped bring the number of people on welfare payments to a 25-year low of 15 per cent.

"As a government, we are going to continue on making sure that we focus on ensuring that the best form of welfare is a job," he said.

The Australian Council of Social Service is backing Ms McGowan's initiative.

"Such a body has broad support amongst the community sector, which sees every day the impact of inadequate social security payments," ACOSS chief executive Dr Cassandra Goldie said in statement.

The council has also thrown its support behind independent MP Andrew Wilkie's calls for a review into how a $150 fortnightly reduction in government support has affected single-parent families.