2015-12-02
Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert has said today that it is extremely disappointing that the Government will attempt to ram through the remainder of the family payment cuts with the introduction of another Social Services Bill in the House of Representatives.
“The Government has hacked up an awful Bill, got parts of it through with the help of Labor, and will now attempt to get the rest through with the help of the crossbench.
“I'm very surprised the crossbenchers have bought the Government's line that this will not hurt families.
“I hope the crossbenchers realise before it is too late that these measures will hurt single parents, carers and low income families.
“Measures in the new Bill will still slash support to thousands of single parent families, and cut the family tax benefit supplements – part of a payment that more than a million Australian families receive.
“The previous Bill was rejected by the community in its entirety, it should be rejected if it is pushed through in parts.
“The Australian Greens will oppose budgetary measures that attack struggling low income families. We do not need to make savings from our most vulnerable”.