[Greens-Media] Four Corners shows the harsh reality of life on Newstart

[Redman, Chris (Sen R. Siewert)]

Tuesday 2nd July 2013

Four Corners shows the harsh reality of life on Newstart

"Last night on Four Corners we saw some of the reality faced by hundreds of thousands of Australians each and every day," Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on Family and Community Services said.

"I hope politicians across the nation were watching, to better understand the personal impact that supporting policies like January's cuts to single parenting payments have had.

"A wealthy society such as ours should not be forcing people into the desperate, grinding poverty that comes with life on Newstart.

"From the very first day on Newstart, you're struggling to make ends meet. Each week becomes harder and harder, and finding secure, suitable employment becomes increasingly unrealistic the longer you remain mired below the poverty line.

"As reports released on Monday show, the community sector is being left to deal with the effects of poor policy making. 

"We cannot allow this to continue. Newstart must be increased by $50 per week, as the Greens have been calling for consistently for a number of years.

"Just last week the old parties combined in the Senate to vote yet again against my motion for an increase in Newstart and additional assistance for single parents. 

"The heartbreaking reality of life on Newstart, shows that the old parties have no choice but to join the campaign to increase the payment by $50 per week and increase payments for single parents" Senator Siewert concluded.