Thread by @SenatorSiewert

This bill makes budget savings at the expense of people at risk of poverty.

It will 'save' the Gov $191 million over 12 months.

On average these changes will take $457 from #JobSeekers and $346 from people on Youth Allowance.

Email your MP to oppose ausgreens.good.do/jobseeker/emai…

https://twitter.com/TheNewDailyAu/status/1403525354220892161

👉WHAT IS THIS NASTY BILL?
The Streamlined Participation Requirements Bill will introduce digital employment services, for people on #JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment and Special Benefit for nominated visa holders.

The Government is rushing to pass a bill that will make savings out of people looking for work and impact hundreds of thousands of people on income support.

The bill will require people using digital employment services to agree to and sign a job plan before receiving their first income support payment.

This new measure drastically reduces a person’s ability to negotiate mutual obligations appropriate to their circumstances.

This delay in people’s payments will save the Government $191 million over a 12 month period.

On average this wait will cost people on #JobSeeker $457 and those on Youth Allowance $346.

Delaying a person’s payment until they enter into a job plan is coercive and reduces a person’s ability to negotiate for a plan appropriate to their circumstances.

The Government has calculated that it takes a person 8-10 days on average to sign a job plan.

The Government has ignored the majority of recommendations made by income support recipients as part of a two year trial of the digital service.

Instead the Government is pushing through this complex bill without allowing time for adequate scrutiny.

The consequences on people’s lives are significant.

I am concerned that the rush to digital services will adversely affect older and long term unemployed workers, culturally and linguistically diverse people, disabled people and people without reliable internet access.