REPORT WARNS OF DANGERS OF JOBSEEKER SNAPBACK

LINDA BURNEY MP.
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4 years ago
REPORT WARNS OF DANGERS OF JOBSEEKER SNAPBACK
LINDA BURNEY MP
A new report from the Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS) has warned of millions of Australians are at risk of being thrown back into poverty in the event of a snapback of the Coronavirus Supplement by the Morrison Government.
 
The survey conducted by ACOSS has shown that the increase to JobSeeker, through the Coronavirus Supplement, has lifted hundreds of thousands of Australians out of poverty by allowing them to ‘eat regularly, cover rent and pay bills.’
 
The base rate of JobSeeker was inadequate prior to the pandemic, and it will remain inadequate after the pandemic unless the Morrison Government acts to permanently increase it. 
 
The Coronavirus supplement ends in September. And the Morrison Government is yet to outline what support will be available for JobSeeker recipients beyond this.
 
Almost two million Australians now rely on JobSeeker in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
 
Many Australians are anxious as to learn of what support will be available to them – if any – in three months’ time.
 
The Government must tell people what the rate for Jobseeker will be after September and what genuine supports will be available to help people who’ve lost their jobs get back into work.
 
A failure to increase the base rate of JobSeeker would place millions of Australians at risk of falling into poverty.
 
Social Services