[Greens-Media] Media Release - Government ignores alternatives to dumping young people into poverty

[Redman, Chris (Sen R. Siewert)]

19 May 2014

Government ignores alternatives to dumping young people into poverty

The Australian Greens have rejected the Prime Minister's claims that his government has 'no alternative' to cruel budget measures that will push more Australians into poverty.

"Tony Abbott's comments on radio this morning show a deep level of disrespect for the hundreds of thousands of Australians, particularly students, young people and single parents who will feel the effects of this budget the most. They reiterate the fact that his government has no understanding of the challenges facing disadvantaged people, " Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on family and community services said today.

"The government cannot claim their budget is moderate or reasonable when they will be depriving young people aged 18 to 30 of income support for extended periods of time and subjecting them to work-for-the-dole regimes, measures that will expose more people to poverty and create new barriers to employment.

"Changes to university fees and HECS repayments will punish students and scrapping payments like the pensioner education supplement will make it harder for single parents to study while they raise a family.
"The government continues to rely on worn and weary messaging about entitlements that stigmatise younger members of the community in an attempt to sell their harsh budget measures, when in reality there is no evidence to support their cruel approach.

"The Greens have shown that a robust mining tax is one of a number of strong options for raising revenue without hurting disadvantaged Australians, while our plans for stronger job services and a $50 increase to Newstart and Youth Allowance will help jobseekers transition into employment without having to live below the poverty line for months on end.

"There are alternative approaches to increasing revenue and helping people work or study that do not expose students, young people and jobseekers to poverty and disadvantage, but the government aren't interested," Senator Siewert concluded.