The federal government is under growing pressure from crossbenchers to implement the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee’s recommendations and cancel the legislated stage three tax cuts.
The expert panel appointed by the government to investigate the welfare system suggested a significant 40% increase in JobSeeker to just under $1000 a fortnight.
Independent senator David Pocock argues that Australia is one of the world’s wealthiest nations and it can afford to implement the recommendations, which would cost $34 billion in total over the forward estimates period.
“This is something that we can do. It’s simply about priorities”, Pocock said.
“This is what we need to do to address the awful levels of poverty that we’re starting to see here in Australia … Now it’s up to the government. Are they going to listen to expert advice?”
Greens leader Adam Bandt has criticised the government for spending billions on nuclear submarines and tax cuts for rich people, while forcing people to live in poverty.
“Labor’s not making ‘hard choices’ in this budget. They’re making everyday people make hard choices, like whether to pay the rent or put food on the table”, Bandt.
Labor’s refusal to lift JobSeeker goes directly against Anthony Albanese’s promises in opposition:
That Tweet certainly hasn’t aged well, has it?
Let’s remember that Australia’s unemployment benefits are the second lowest in the world behind Greece:
If Albanese’s Labor is going to cram the nation full of record numbers of migrants, and force up rents and unemployment in the process, then the least he can do is look after those Australians that are displaced.
Isn’t this the role of a “Labor” Government that purports to represent the working class?
