2023-05-04
Ahead of Monday’s Federal Budget, the Victorian Greens are urging the Premier to advocate to the Federal Government to lift income support payments above the poverty line for everyone.
The Greens say that if they don’t, hundreds of thousands of income support recipients will be left in poverty.
Leader of the Victorian Greens, Samantha Ratnam, will today introduce a motion calling on the Premier to advocate to the Federal Government to lift income support payments, noting that keeping income support low pushes people onto already underfunded state-based housing and homelessness services, and crisis support.
Quotes attributable to Leader of the Victorian Greens, Samantha Ratnam MLC:
“Despite there now being Labor Premiers in all mainland states, we’ve heard radio silence from them when it comes to calling for the rate of income support to be raised.
“The Premier must add his voice to the effort to lift Victorians on income support – who are already struggling with the rising cost-of-living – out of poverty.”
Quotes attributable to Victorian Greens treasury spokesperson, Sam Hibbins MP:
“By keeping the rate of income support below the poverty line, the Federal Government is shifting people onto already underfunded and overstretched state-based housing and homelessness services, and crisis support.
“This is an example of federal-to-state cost-shifting with the worst possible outcomes for people in need.”