2016-10-21
Senator Rachel Siewert
We have now had the first couple of sitting weeks of the 45th Parliament and already the Government has shown how lacking in new ideas it is and we see more of the same old same old.
A portfolio reshuffle meant I said goodbye to the Marine and Agriculture portfolio whilst gaining the Mental Health portfolio. Although I have held Ag and Marine for a number of years and enjoyed campaigning in this space, I love the Mental Health portfolio and it works well with my social justice and inequality portfolios, and strengthens my work on our social safety net. Already we have called for a National Suicide Prevention Target for World Suicide Prevention Day and have advocated for safe conversations, ensuring access to mental health care, quality education and support for service providers. With suicide rates in Australia at a ten year high, now more than ever we must work to reduce stigma, increase research, and make sure Governments are providing proper supports to people with mental ill health.
Last month the Government attempted to ram through a huge Omnibus bill that was filled with cuts in renewable energy, income support, health, and much more. Labor voted with the Coalition to squash an inquiry into this large and complex legislation, so the Greens successfully worked with the crossbench to establish our own informal inquiry. Securing a committee room, we invited stakeholders to come and give evidence about different aspects of the bill that would be damaging to the community and the environment. It was fantastic to see shortly after that Labor had wound back on key issues we took evidence and campaigned on; the energy supplement cut was dumped, dental health was no longer under attack, and parts of ARENA funding remained, although ALP supported a $500million cut. Obviously, it would have been better for Labor to oppose this bill in its entirety as other cuts hurt the most vulnerable.
It is not just the energy supplement that the Coalition is attacking when it comes to our social security net. Under the Governments so called revolutionary approach they are intent on throwing people off income support and making it harder and harder for some of the most vulnerable people in our community. The Government is supposedly modelling changes to income support on the New Zealand approach. The New Zealand approach takes an actuarial approach, drilling down on data to better understand the barriers some groups face and who would benefit from a more targeted approach.
This has been a process that has developed over a number of years; not only is our Government taking a more rushed approach but it is also missing key elements. The New Zealand method isnt as good as the Government makes out: harsh sanctions have dumped people off payments, pushing them further into poverty. Evidence provided by the Australian Council of Social Services showed that 40 percent of people considered 'job ready' who came off income support ended up back on payments. There is no doubt that some parts of the New Zealand approach must stay firmly in New Zealand.
Another problem is the Government pursuing more paternalism despite claims the change will be 'revolutionary. They still want to throw young people off income support for four weeks, they are trialling the cashless welfare card in regional towns, and they are considering a cashless card for youth unemployed. To promise a 'revolutionary change in income support that will be grounded with evidence, then to pursue an ideological measure like the cashless welfare card is, quite frankly, absurd. It is also the first sign that the Government is not being sincere in changing how we deliver income support in this country for the better. I will be closely following the proposed changes.
We had some positive outcomes in our parliamentary work: following our motion urging the coroner to reopen the application for the Ms Dhu CCTV footage to be released, the case was reopened. The coroner has reserved her decision on whether to release the footage of Ms Dhu in her final hours; I hope the decision matches the family wish to have the vision released and within a reasonable time frame.
I have reopened some community affairs senate inquiries and already have taken more evidence in WA on the indefinite detention of people with cognitive impairment and the aged care sector workforce. I look forward to taking more evidence and the committee making strong recommendations.
P.S. Did you see the Greens team walk out of Pauline Hansons first speech? It was so liberating to stand up to racism that hurts our diverse and multicultural communities. As Richard Di Natale pointed out, you accept the standard you walk past.
Photo: Rachel, Derryn Hinch and Richard Di Natale at the Crossbench Omnibus Inquiry Chris Redman