2016-04-27
The Government’s obsession with punishing vulnerable Australian’s continues today with news that income support recipients will be targeted to pay for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, which has already been funded.
“There was tri-partisan support for the NDIS when the previous Government introduced the Scheme, now it is being used as an excuse to attack income support recipients”, Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said today.
“There is no doubt in my mind that there has been a proactive campaign by the Government to vilify income support recipients in the lead up to this announcement and to the budget. I agree with various welfare groups who say job seekers are being demonised in the budget lead-up, this was obvious when yet again we saw headlines attacking people on Newstart.
“If the Government is genuine about compliance, they must increase funding for the Centrelink phone service and MyGov service, which are under-resourced and failing to keep up.
“There are people on the Disability Support Pension, Carers Payment, Newstart and Youth Allowance who are trying to do the right thing but simply can’t get through.
"Rather than once again seeking to save money from the most vulnerable in the community, those that are already living below the poverty line, the Government should start taking revenue raising seriously and stop looking after their wealthy mates”.