[Greens-Media] MYEFO further weakens our social safety net

[Redman, Chris (Sen R. Siewert)]

15 December 2014

MYEFO further weakens our social safety net

The Australian Greens said today that MYEFO shows the Federal Government's ongoing commitment to flawed, unfair policies that weaken our social safety net.

"MYEFO lacks all credibility, with the Government remaining committed to flawed budget measures, including cuts to parenting and family payments, the increase in the retirement age and moves to deny jobseekers under 30 access to income support for six months a year," Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on family and community services said today.

"By retaining these measures in MYEFO despite the clear political and public opposition to them, the Government is sending a clear signal that they do not care about the impact these cuts will have on the most vulnerable. They're also taking things a step further by including new and recently announced measures in the budget outlook.

"FTB freezes will be extended for another year, because that they've been unable to get these flawed unfair policies through Parliament. These policies should have been abandoned. They are unfair, target the most vulnerable and are not supported by the community.

"New details have emerged about the disability support pensions assessment crackdown announced last week, which requires applicants to be assessed by a Government appointed doctor, rather than their own GP. MYEFO gets even worse, as a Job Capacity Assessor could now make the assessment.

"MYEFO says that the Government contracted doctor or Job Capacity Assessor will review the claimant's medical records and may contact their treating doctor for further information. This highlights the ineffective and intrusive nature of the Government's approach, which is designed to do nothing more than make it harder for people to access income support.

"A significant amount of money is being used for the 'reform' of the Remote Jobs and Communities Program, which will see the Government enforce year-round work for the dole requirements. It is concerning to see money continue to be wasted on ineffective and punitive programs, while at the same time important funding is removed from other areas as a result of the Government's budget cuts and chaotic Indigenous Advancement Strategy funding process. There is no community-driven cooperation at play here, just more of the top-down policy making that is being implemented without any effort to work with communities.

"Despite the growing issue of unemployment, it is disappointing to see the Government cease payments to apprentices under Support for Adult Australian Apprenticeships. This undermines efforts to help older jobseekers retrain and re-enter the workforce. There are significant barriers faced by older Australians and investments in these program areas are critical.

"It is also concerning to see that a number of aged care bodies and those working on dementia and disability issues will be affected by the Government's so-called 'smaller government' approach. Cutting the Dementia and Severe Behaviours Supplement permanently is a very significant cost cutting measure that will increase pressure on the aged care sector and affect care provided to people with dementia.

"Rather than remaining committed to a deeply flawed regime of cuts, it's time the Government ensured polluters and the wealthy pay their fair share.