The former Deputy Prime Minister, Barnaby Joyce, says he's doing it tough.
Telling the NewsCorp papers buying a coffee is a treat and that he has to ration the heater at night to save money.
Mr Joyce says his recent divorce and change in economic circumstances has given him more empathy and has lead to his support of increasing Newstart.
But despite the show of empathy, the former deputy prime minister's remarks have received criticism from fellow politicians and welfare recipients alike.
