Politicians should be drug-tested the minute they walk through the doors of Parliament, maverick independent senator Jacqui Lambie has suggested.

Senator Lambie’s comments came after a budget measure announced by Treasurer Scott Morrison on Tuesday that new welfare recipients would be subject to drug testing, and those who test positive to have their income managed by Centrelink.

Senator Lambie welcomed the drug-testing for welfare recipients proposed by the 2017 federal budget, but said she didn’t see why politicians shouldn’t be subject to the same regime.

Those who test positive would also face referral for treatment under the proposal.

Ms Lambie, who has spoken publicly of her family’s battle with drug addiction and has previously called for mandatory treatment of ice users, said parliamentarians should “lead by example”.

“It is about time politicians led by example and both on the Senate side and the House of Reps, there should be random drug testing as you come through the doors,” she said.

“It won’t hurt them [politicians]. They are paid by the taxpayer, just like welfare is, and I think for them to show some leadership in this, that is exactly what should be done,” Senator Lambie said.

The plan to drug test welfare recipients was also welcomed by NSW Member for Page, Kevin Hogan, who said similar things were already being done on many work sites.

“If they’re dysfunctional and on drugs every day and having a joint or sucking back on a bong every day and not going looking for work, that’s not OK either,” Mr Hogan said.

“This is a mutual obligation. We want to give you a welfare payment, we want to help you to find a job, we want you to get a job,” Mr Hogan said.

No point testing without rehab in place: Lambie

Drug testing for welfare beneficiaries would be pointless unless it was accompanied by a treatment plan, Senator Lambie said.

“As long as they put a plan into place to make sure that these people receive treatment and a fair go to get back on their feet, otherwise there is no point drug testing anybody,” she said.

Senator Lambie said there was virtually nothing in the Federal Budget for Tasmania, but congratulated the Government on including funding for Missiondale Recovery Centre, a residential recovery program in rural Tasmania.

Senator Lambie won praise in March following an emotional plea to Government members to reconsider welfare cuts, speaking of her own struggles as a single mother on the disability support pension for seven years.

– with ABC