2018-05-02
The Australian Greens support the chorus of economists and social services groups calling for an increase to the woefully low Newstart payment.
“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. It is fantastic to see Access Economics' Chris Richardson lay out the need for an increase", Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said today.
"The payment needs to be increased by $75 a week.
“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 the Government needs to recognise that payments need to increase. Keeping those without a job living below the poverty is unconscionable.
“Increasing Newstart 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. It needs to be increased”.