The Victorian made his first speech to parliament on Wednesday, almost four months after entering federal parliament to replace retired senator Jacinta Collins.

Senator Ciccone called for the Newstart allowance to rise, as the issue continues to swirl across the political divide.

"A meaningful and immediate increase to Newstart is an important step that we must embrace, but it cannot by any means be our last," he told parliament.

"To ensure the hardships that exist now aren't able to recur, we need to work together to create a framework where changes to these and other elements of our social security system are regularly assessed."

Before entering federal politics, Senator Ciccone was an official at the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association in Melbourne and represented employees ripped off during the 7/11 underpayment scandal.

He said whistleblower protections should be extended to cover temporary protection visa workers, while franchisors responsible for underpayment should be responsible if franchisees don't rectify the issue.

The Labor senator also wants increased penalties for wage theft, and an easier remedy for non-payment and underpayment of superannuation.

He said workers in the so-called gig economy, which includes platforms like Uber and food delivery apps, should be protected by the same employment laws other workers are.

"It is our responsibility in this place to deliver for them the same dignity and security as the rest of our community."

Senator Ciccone broke down as he talked about his wife Dimity Paul's battle with breast cancer.

Ms Paul, who has the BRCA gene, was screened regularly but it was estimated the risk would rise later in her 30s when the couple wanted to have a family.

"However, it was at one of her yearly MRIs that a less than one-centimetre stage three cancer was found and it had already spread to her lymph nodes," Senator Ciccone said.

"It is not dramatic to say that without knowing her genetic status and having regular testing my wife may not be here today."

He vowed to work to extend preventative health measures and screening, saying early diagnosis is key to survival.

Senator Ciccone also nominated tackling homelessness and pursuing a treaty with indigenous people as priorities.

Australian Associated Press