Following calls from leading economists for the Albanese Government to increase Jobseeker and Youth Allowance to 90% of the Age Pension, Labor can’t continue to ignore the millions of Australians on poverty-payments, Greens say.
Senator Penny Allman-Payne, Greens social services spokesperson:
“It’s undeniable that the current rate of Jobseeker and Youth Allowance traps people in poverty.
“Centrelink payments not only trap people in poverty, but can trap women in abusive homes. It is so much harder to escape violence when you’re financially insecure, and victims of violence who are on Jobseeker are relentlessly re-traumatised by a social security system that keeps them in poverty.
“60% of single mums have experienced abuse, and the $5000 announced today isn’t enough to make up for the woefully inadequate Jobseeker payment many of these women will need to survive on after leaving a violent home. And that’s if women get these emergency payments at all; last year, over half of claims for the Escaping Violence Payment were rejected by the Albanese government.
“Everyday, millions of Australians feel the crushing stress of living on Centrelink: they’re showering less and not turning on the heating to save on bills, they’re forgoing necessary medication, they’re choosing between paying rent and eating.
“In a wealthy country like ours, no-one should have to live like this.
“Labor promised when they came to power that no one would be left behind. Yet people on income support are literally starving while Labor turns a blind eye.
“Labor’s own hand-picked Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee has recommended raising Jobseeker to 90% of the Age Pension two years in a row. Today, leading economists have reaffirmed we need to substantially raise the rate of income support, because if we don’t we are entrenching disadvantage.
“Not only do these poverty-rates entrench disadvantage, it also makes it harder for people to find a job. During COVID, we saw a doubling of income support and more people found work because of it.
“Poverty is a policy choice. This government has spent hundreds of billions of dollars on Stage 3 tax cuts for the rich and big corporations, on more submarines and defense, and tax breaks for fossil fuel companies – all while leaving the most vulnerable Australians to suffer.
“If Labor is serious about keeping any of their promises instead of paying lip service, the government must raise income support above the poverty line in this month’s budget.”