Catholic Social Services Australia has urged the Albanese Government to use the upcoming Budget to raise the rate of social safety net payments and strengthen support systems to improve the lives of our nation’s most vulnerable people.
In making this call, CSSA stands in solidarity with the Australian Council of Social Service, Catholic and other faith-based social service providers, and the federal Government’s Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee (EIAC).
“In recent years, the Government has made incremental improvements to working-age payments, but it hasn’t been enough. We must raise the rate of JobSeeker to at least $80 a day to enable people to live with dignity and to better position themselves to find employment,” CSSA executive director Monique Earsman said.
“Many might not realise that JobSeeker recipients receive only 69 per cent of what pensioners are entitled to and just 43 per cent of the minimum full-time wage.”
CSSA said more than 3 million Australians struggle to afford basic necessities like food, medicine, rent, and electricity due to the rising cost of living. This issue is compounded by family and domestic violence, disproportionately affecting women and children.
“Charities, including CSSA members, are overwhelmed by the demand for assistance from individuals and families struggling to bridge the gap,” Ms Earsman said.
The CSSA Pre-Budget Submission recommends raising these payments to a sufficient level that ensures recipients and their families can meet basic living costs and escape poverty. This amount is estimated to be around $80 per day.
“By failing to support our most vulnerable, we perpetuate their ongoing economic and social exclusion, which benefits none of us,” Ms Earsman said.
FULL STORY
Boost JobSeeker in upcoming Budget to uphold human dignity (CSSA)
