2020-03-17
The Greens have repeated their calls for the Government to suspend the mutual obligation responsibilities of people on Centrelink payments that have such requirements, including those on Work for the Dole, CDP and the ParentsNext program.
“Fear of having their payment suspended or losing their payment will mean that people could make decisions that are counter to their health or other peoples," Greens spokesperson on Family and Community Services Senator Rachel Siewert said.
"People are already struggling to get by, they don’t need the added stress of having a payment suspended because they don’t think they should be attending an appointment or a work for the dole site.
“Our first priority should be looking after people’s health and as we will surely move towards more people needing to isolate and socially distance, this Government still expects those on income support to be attending meetings and appointments?
“The Government should make it clear that they are putting the public health of the community first, including those on income support and suspend mutual obligation requirements.”
Media Contact
Lucy Cowcher-Guthrie: 0418 401 180