Ms Payne, who won the seat at the May election after her predecessor Gai Brodtmann resigned, says the nation's capital is forward-looking and environmentally conscious.

"Canberra is often dismissed as a bubble, as somehow not being a real place - a boring and sterile place out of touch with the rest of the nation," she told parliament in her first speech.

"But those of us who live here know this is not true. The Canberra we know and love is a caring, progressive, multicultural and connected community."

Ms Payne said climate change was the issue most raised with her during the election campaign, saying that other goals become redundant if the environment isn't cared for.

"There is no point talking about social justice if we destroy the world we live in," she said on Wednesday.

"There is no point talking about the economy if it is not sustainable."

Ms Payne, who has worked for former Labor leader Bill Shorten and former party minister Jenny Macklin, also used her first speech to urge for an increase to Newstart.

"Our social security system has long failed to provide adequate support to the unemployed," she said.

"To the point that for many, dire poverty is impeding their ability to find work. The Newstart allowance is too low and the government should review it and increase it as an urgent priority."

The new MP also urged the government to do more for single parents, with one-third of single parent families living in poverty.

Canberra has some of the highest employment and wages in the country, she said, adding that it made it a difficult place to be poor.

"Standing up for a strong social safety net is as important for the people of Canberra as it is around the country," she said.

The social justice advocate says she's proud the Morrison government has made an early commitment to an indigenous voice to parliament, urging work to continue on the reform.

"Our response to these issues will define how history sees this parliament, and I look forward to participating," she said.

Ms Payne revealed it was her concern for asylum seekers that sparked her interest in politics, initially over private companies running detention centres and the damage detention had on children.

"I would never have imagined that almost 20 years later our nation's treatment of asylum seekers would have actually deteriorated," she said.

"We have an obligation as human beings to treat people better than this."

Australian Associated Press