AN expected rise in the jobless rate will force more people in Melbourne’s west and across Australia into poverty, according to the Australian Council of Social Service.
Commenting on last week’s economic statement released by the federal government, ACOSS chief executive Cassandra Goldie said bolder actions were needed to stem poverty, including an increase in the Newstart allowance and disability care.
Dr Goldie said the government had “again failed our nation’s poorest people” by not increasing low income support allowances such as Newstart and Youth Allowance.
Dr Goldie said it was “simply unacceptable” that one in eight Australians lived in poverty, including one in six children.
Greens federal candidates Janet Rice and Rod Swift are calling for a $50 increase to Newstart and restoration of recently cut single-parent payments.
Campaigning last week at Newport Centrelink, Ms Rice said about 5700 unemployed people in Gellibrand had as little as $17 a day for food, bills, and other expenses after rent.
Gellibrand candidate Rod Swift said sole parents had been hit hard by the cuts. “It’s not just the humiliating dive into poverty. They are being locked out of the workforce.”
The Greens would raise the mining tax to fund the increases, which would cost $9.2 billion over the next four years.
