The Australian Greens have urged the Albanese Government to urgently lift income support recipients out of poverty and put an end to the punitive 'mutual' obligations program.
Re-appointed Greens Social Services spokesperson Senator Penny Allman-Payne urged the government to prioritise raising the rate of income support, given the focus on domestic violence prevention by Minister Tanya Plibersek.
As Sex Discrimination Commissioner Anna Cody has said: "Raising JobSeeker and related payments to liveable levels in the federal budget would help lift about half a million women out of poverty. Bolstering women's economic security is crucial to giving them the means to leave and remain free of violence."
As stated by Australian Greens spokesperson for Social Services, Senator Penny Allman-Payne:
"Raising the rate of income support is a moral, economic and social necessity. Every day that the rate is not raised is another day of unconscionable suffering for those below the poverty line.
"Minister Plibersek has said that she wants to focus on women and reducing domestic violence while she holds the portfolio of social services. If that is true, nothing would improve women's safety and security more than raising the rate of income support above the poverty line.
"Labor's own economic advisory committee has called on them to raise the rate. Labor knows this is the right thing to do. Any politician who thinks the current rate is adequate should try to pay rent, eat, and generally survive on $20,000 per year.
"I also strongly urge the Government to end the brutal and wasteful mutual obligations system.
"Australia's current system of privatised employment services and mutual obligations is a labyrinthine system of ticket clippers, including donors to the Labor party. It's preposterous and it needs to come to an end.
"The minister could switch off the mutual obligations meat grinder with a snap of her fingers. I'd strongly encourage her to do so."
Queensland Greens Senator Penny Allman-Payne was reappointed to the following portfolios:
-
Primary & Secondary Education
-
Social Services (incl. Government Services & Employment Services)
-
Older Australians
-
Transition, Regional Development & Northern Australia
-
Sport
