Calls grow for Anthony Albanese's government to increase Centrelink payments trends now

View
comments

The Australian Council of Social Service wants the federal government to ramp up the JobSeeker allowance in this year's budget, as the poorest struggle with the cost of living.

As well as increasing JobSeeker from $50 a day to $76, ACOSS wants the Albanese government to scrap the stage three tax cuts and help make housing more energy efficient.

ACOSS has released its annual budget wishlist of things they'd like to see the government implement when the budget is handed on May 9.

The wishlist also includes scrapping the stage three tax cuts, which the Labor government promised to implement at the last election.

'We say now is the right time to fix the adequacy of our key social protection for people who are on the lowest incomes, who are being locked out of paid work,' ACOSS CEO Cassandra Goldie said.

'So we think now is absolutely the right time for the government to step in.

'It's a disgrace that we still have, being one of the wealthiest countries in the world, an unemployment payment which is the lowest among comparative OECD countries.'

Dr Goldie said welfare recipients are struggling with basic daily necessities as inflation worsens the cost-of-living pressures.

'People on income support are skipping meals, foregoing essential medicines and turning off their hot water just to keep a roof over their head,' she said.

'The government must create a fairer tax system, and should start by cancelling stage three tax cuts for the wealthiest in our society.