2018-04-30
Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert has today called on the Government to increase Newstart and Youth Allowance in the budget by $75 a week.
“We welcome Deloitte Access Economics’ support for an increase to the woefully low Newstart payment as part of their annual budget monitor.
“There is a growing consensus on the need for Newstart to be increased, ranging from economic and tax firms like Deloitte and KPMG to social service organisations. The payment needs to be increased by $75 a week.
“We also have the report released today from Anglicare on the lack of affordable housing for people on low incomes, we know that the low rate of Newstart contributes to housing insecurity.
“The payment has not increased in real terms in decades. The Government has spent years vilifying people on income support, this needs to stop and this budget they need to recognise that payments need to increase. Keeping those without a job living below the poverty is unconscionable.
“Increasing Newstart and Youth Allowance also makes economic sense. Money spent supporting jobseekers will go straight back into the economy on much needed goods and services, and will also mean that struggling Australians are better supported to find employment”.