A $75/week increase in #JobSeeker is less than the main advocacy groups were calling for BEFORE the COVID-19 Supplement.
A raise of only $75 a week is nowhere near the poverty line, meaning the government will, essentially, continue to put those who need assistance into poverty
A raise of only $75 a week is nowhere near the poverty line, meaning the government will, essentially, continue to put those who need assistance into poverty
Such a low raise will not help people, especially during this time of economic recession.
The government will use this small increase to say "hey, we raised the rate, you're just greedy asking for more" when they KNOW that this isn't enough.
The government will use this small increase to say "hey, we raised the rate, you're just greedy asking for more" when they KNOW that this isn't enough.
As per the Anglicare Rental Affordability Snapshot, with the COVID Supplement, only 1.5% of rental properties are affordable. With effectively a $200/week payment cut from the supplement, this will drastically decrease the availability of affordable housing to those who need it.
@ACOSS undertook a survey of those receiving the Supplement, asking how it affected their lives and what might happen when it ends.
Some data from the survey is below, with most of it being completely undone with this inconsequential increase
Some data from the survey is below, with most of it being completely undone with this inconsequential increase
3 out of 4 people reported being able to catch up on their bills
Without a permanent addition of the full Supplement, the government is knowingly pushing people further into debt, making it harder for them to get back on track financially
Without a permanent addition of the full Supplement, the government is knowingly pushing people further into debt, making it harder for them to get back on track financially
Over 80% of people reported being able to eat better
Whether that is food that's better nutritionally, or just more food overall, the supplement has allowed people to eat properly. A reduction of this will mean many go back to old eating habits, many of which are unhealthy.
Whether that is food that's better nutritionally, or just more food overall, the supplement has allowed people to eat properly. A reduction of this will mean many go back to old eating habits, many of which are unhealthy.
Almost 70% reported being able to easily pay their rent, or find safer accommodation
This goes without saying, people should be able to live in safe accommodation, and the fact that people aren't able to without the supplement is hugely telling that it isn't enough.
This goes without saying, people should be able to live in safe accommodation, and the fact that people aren't able to without the supplement is hugely telling that it isn't enough.
69% reported being able to afford medicines and health treatments
Along with other factors like unhealthy eating and improper accommodation, a significant cut to the supplement like this will mean that the health and wellbeing of those on payments will suffer yet again
Along with other factors like unhealthy eating and improper accommodation, a significant cut to the supplement like this will mean that the health and wellbeing of those on payments will suffer yet again
We need to #KeepTheRate
We should not have to advocate to stop the government from putting people into poverty
The wellbeing of so many people will be affected with this, and there will be an even more miserable job market than before
We should not have to advocate to stop the government from putting people into poverty
The wellbeing of so many people will be affected with this, and there will be an even more miserable job market than before
