[Greens-Media] Media Release - Senate Inquiry calls on Government to abandon cruel budget measures

[Redman, Chris (Sen R. Siewert)]

Media Release

3 December 2014


Senate Inquiry calls on Government to abandon cruel budget measures

A Senate Inquiry into income inequality has recommended that the Government abandon some of its toughest measures.

The report of the Community Affairs References Committee inquiry into the extent of income inequality in Australia - Bridging our Growing Divide: inequality in Australia was tabled in the Senate today.

"Our inquiry has found that income inequality has increased in Australia since the mid-1980s, and is likely to be exacerbated by measures in the 2014/15 budget. As a result, the Committee has recommended that the Government abandon a number of budget cuts," Senator Rachel Siewert, Committee Chair and Australian Greens spokesperson on family and community services said today.

"I moved for this inquiry due to growing public concerns about inequality and the Government's budget measures.

"Both the Henderson Poverty Line and the 50 per cent median income poverty line indicate that far too many vulnerable Australians, individuals and families in receipt of income support, are currently living in poverty. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people living with a mental illness, single parents and newly arrived migrants, particularly those without English, are especially vulnerable.

"The inadequacy of income support payments and our transfers system was identified as a key factor contributing to inequality, as was a lack of available housing and growing levels of insecure work.

"The Committee has recognised that the Government's budget contains a number of measures that disproportionally affect vulnerable Australians. We have recommended that a series of budget measures do not proceed, including cuts to indexation of pensions and to the family tax benefit, so-called 'Earn or Learn' regime and the denial of income support for jobseekers aged under 30.

"The Committee has also recommended that the Government review the level of working age payments against the poverty line, and assess the success and the financial and the social benefits of programmes that provide individualised support for the long-term unemployed.

"However, in additional comments the Australian Greens have also recommend that Newstart and Youth Allowance be increased, as there is already enough evidence as to the inadequacy of these payments.

"A series of recommendations have also been made to address issues such as minimum levels for social security payments, the availability of housing, better urban planning guidelines and improved employment and training programs for younger and older jobseekers.

"The evidence presented to the Committee has found that an individualised, one-on-one approach can achieve significant success in reconnecting people with education, training and employment opportunities. This is at odds with the approach being taken by the Government through the budget, as they seek to cut payments and our social safety net.

"Programs and policies based on case management, personal connections, support and mentorship offer far greater potential for helping people into work and out of poverty. This is the path the Government should be taking.

"It is disappointing that Coalition Senators submitted a dissenting report. They continue to deny the evidence of growing income inequality and the adverse impacts it has on people in our community but also our economy.

"I call on the Government to review and adopt the Committee's 13 recommendations and end the Parliamentary year by abandoning their cruel budget," Senator Siewert concluded.