[Greens-Media] Media Release - Government resorts to bullying community organisations

[Redman, Chris (Sen R. Siewert)]

21 November 2014

Government resorts to bullying community organisations

The Australian Greens said today that Alan Tudge's attack on Australia's peak community organisation is yet another sign of the Government's desperation to justify their cruel policy agenda.

"There is a significant difference between emergency relief and income support payments which are paid to millions of Australians," Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on family and community services said.

"Mr Tudge is either ignorant of this or is deliberating merging the two issues in order to justify his Government's cruel agenda and support for the flawed healthy welfare card. 

"Instead of wasting his time attacking ACOSS he should be looking at how to better address the appalling incarceration rates, health outcomes and disadvantage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

"This is another example of the Government trying to bully community groups who speak out against them.

"The Government should abandon the Healthy Welfare Card and work with community to develop community driven and culturally appropriate programs," Senator Siewert concluded.