Government Forces 1.6 Million Australians Into Poverty: How Healthy Is That?
"Today the cuts to Jobseeker will force 1.6 million of our fellow Australian citizens into poverty, said Dr Tim Woodruff, President, Doctors Reform Society. "After the hardest year ever for many of them they will now see their incomes drop below the poverty line."
"Poverty makes people sicker, physically and mentally. Sometimes it kills. Poor people die younger than middle income people, and much younger than wealthy people. Forcing people into poverty is not healthy".
"Supposedly this move will encourage these people to 'get a job' at a time when there are multiple applicants for almost every job. What does a single mother with ten and thirteen year old kids do? Go fruit picking and leave them at home 200 km away?"
"We must be able to do better for our fellow Australians", said Dr Woodruff. "After all, we are all in it together aren't we?"
