The Morrison Government can reduce poverty by permanently increasing social security payments
The Federal Government should permanently raise social security payments and end the demonisation of those locked out of paid work to ensure that no child or adult in Australia is trapped in poverty.
A Senate Committee report on the adequacy of social security payments tabled today has recommended that the Federal Government raise the rate of unemployment, youth and parenting payments upon the phasing out of the Coronavirus Supplement.
Adrianne Walters, Associate Legal Director at the Human Rights Law Centre, said that the report confirms how cruel it would be for the Government to step backwards after recently increasing Jobseeker and other payments.
“A good government would ensure that every person has the means to buy nourishing food, keep warm on a cold night, sleep in a safe place and pay for school books and excursions for their kids. This means the Federal Government permanently raising social security payments for all and ending demoralising systems of compliance and penalties,” said Walters.
“In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the Government increased Jobseeker and other payments, recognising the unacceptability of a system that forces people to choose between eating and paying rent. A decent standard of living and compassion are values that must be reinserted into our social security system,” said Walters.
The report highlights the lack of paid jobs and high poverty rates in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and the disastrous impacts of the Government’s remote ‘work-for-the dole’ program (the Community Development Program). It recommends a review of the Remote Area Allowance to ensure that it is set at a rate that addresses the higher cost of living in remote Australia.
“Remote communities have suffered acutely from the Government’s callous treatment. Despite rising poverty, and the exorbitant cost of food and other basics in many remote areas, the Government has refused to permanently increase payments. Instead, it has targeted communities with harsh financial penalties, cashless control, and a remote work-for-the-dole program that has caused hunger and suffering,” said Walters.
“While huge amounts of unpaid care and cultural work is done in communities, there are few paid jobs available. This leaves many with no choice but to turn to social security. Rather than imposing harsh programs on communities, the Government should increase payments and work with communities on the new models for job creation that they have already put forward,” said Walters.
The report also recommends the establishment of an Expert Group to advise Parliament on reforming the social security system in a way that centres social security as a human right. The Human Rights Law Centre’s submission recommended the establishment of an independent Social Security Commission.
“For years, hundreds of thousands of people in Australia have had to scrape to survive because of the politicisation of our social safety net. It is time for principles of respect, dignity and compassion to be at its heart and for an independent Social Security Commission to be established to lead the way,” said Walters.
Media contact:
Michelle Bennett, Communications Director: 0419 100 519