Anglicare Australia and UnitingCare Australia Briefing Paper on JobSeeker
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Raising the Rate For Good
With so many Australians relying on JobSeeker, and even more on related payments such as Youth Allowance, the Government’s planned cuts will put Australia’s economic recovery at risk.
Anglicare and UnitingCare are calling on the Federal Government to stop the cuts and permanently raise the rate of JobSeeker payments above the poverty line.
After JobSeeker was raised, the percentage of people living on $7 a day was halved. Most people told us that an increase would help them move into better, more stable accommodation. This is vital considering that one in ten (9 percent) were forced to couch surf before the increase.19 Many who had their incomes boosted by the increase were finally able to buy fresh fruit and vegetables. Briefing Paper, page 8
Read the Anglicare Australia and UnitingCare Australia Briefing Paper on JobSeeker, published 10 February 2021
About Anglicare Australia
Anglicare Australia is a network of independent local, state, national and international organisations that are linked to the Anglican Church and are joined by values of service, innovation, leadership and the Christian faith that every individual has intrinsic value.
Services are delivered in partnership with people, the communities in which they live, and other like-minded organisations in those areas. With a combined income of over $1.94 billion, a workforce of over 11,000 staff and 6,000 volunteers, the Network delivers more than 50 service areas in the Australian community. Services are delivered to over 474,00 people and reach close to 1.37 million Australians in total. In all, Anglicare services reach over 1 in every 19 Australians.
About UnitingCare Australia
The UnitingCare network is one of the largest providers of community services in Australia. With over 1,600 sites, the network employs 50,000 staff and is supported by the work of over 30,000 volunteers.
UnitingCare Australia is the national body for the Uniting Church’s community services network and an agency of the Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia.
Catholic Social Services Australia Media Release
Failure to 'Raise the Rate' could entrench disadvantage 16 February 2021
Catholic Social Services Australia CEO Ursula Stephens says the failure to retain the higher Jobseeker rate provided during the pandemic will create financial pressure on families that could last for generations.
“In a matter of weeks, people forced to rely on unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 crisis will be plunged into poverty as the JobSeeker payment falls back down to an unliveable $40 a day”, said Dr Stephens
About Catholic Social Services Australia (CSSA)
CSSA exists to challenge, advocate and campaign for a fair and just society that serves all Australians. CSSA work alongside their extensive national network of social services providers which draw upon their lived experience to augment research, to inform public opinion and encourage national parliament to develop just and compassionate social and economic policies that will improve the lives of the poor and vulnerable in Australia.
Read the CSSA related report Strong Economy, Stronger Australia which argues that a post-pandemic economic recovery cannot proceed by withdrawing support from people in need.
