[Greens-Media] DSP recipients lose out in Govt-ALP budget deal

[Redman, Chris (Sen R. Siewert)]

2nd October 2014

DSP recipients lose out in Govt-ALP budget deal

The Australian Greens said today that while some of the Government's worst budget measures have been put on hold, Australians with disability, single parents, families and students will still lose out in a deal struck between Tony Abbott and the Opposition.

"The Government has put some of their cruellest measures on hold for now, but they have not given up the ideological war against the most vulnerable people in our community," Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on family and community services said today.

"The only budget deal that has been struck is between the Government and ALP to pass the Budget Measures 6 Bill, which still delivers unacceptable cuts.

"This bill contains measures to reassess 28,000 people on the Disability Support Pension with a view to dumping them onto Newstart, and it will reduce the length of time DSP recipients are able to spend overseas each year.

"These are punitive measures that demonise and marginalise people with a disability, and we will not be supporting them.

"We have seen thousands of people rallying against Tony Abbott's cuts and joining the Bust the Budget campaign, and today's back down from the Government is an important win.

"The Greens will continue to stand up and oppose the Government's cruel agenda, which targets the most vulnerable people in our community," Senator Siewert concluded.