The Australian Greens raised concerns today about the Rudd Government's budget priorities, after single parents and the unemployed were overlooked in what was meant to be a budget for tough times.

"The nation expected a tough budget and the vast majority of Australians were prepared to dig a little deeper to make sure there was a fair go for those hit hard by the recession," said Senator Rachel Siewert today.

"What they didn't expect was to be asked to take on a massive deficit so we can fund further government largesse in tax cuts, a massive boost in defence spending and re-badged clean coal without delivering services and support to those most in need."

"Unemployed people, including those who may soon lose their jobs as unemployment rises beyond 8%, must try and scrape by on $227 per week (single) - that's $90 less than the new single pension rate of $317 (up $32 from $285). They are facing exactly the same cost of living pressures, and have a greater need to live closer to big labour markets - where rents are higher and affordable places hard to find," she said.

"We need a stronger safety net to make sure that those who fall out of work during this economic downturn can bounce back and play their part in building the new economy - rather than sliding into poverty and despair."

"The Greens welcome the single pension increase, but find it unconscionable that the Rudd Government can expediently cherry-pick one group in genuine need, yet choose to overlook other related groups whose needs are as great if not greater," said Senator Siewert.

"Wayne Swan's comments that single parents are being looked after by other means is total bunkum. Not only have the Government failed to raise the base rate for the single parent pension, changes to Family Tax Benefit A will hit single parents and those on low income the hardest. The 600,000 Australian children growing up in single parent families are being left behind and at risk of growing up in poverty."

"Pundits today are worried about how long it will take to claw back the budget deficit, but the Greens are even more concerned by the blow-out in the social deficit. By leaving behind unemployed people and single parent families we face the real risk of perpetuating long-term unemployment and intergenerational poverty."

"The need to address the high levels of unmet need in social services and to put our community sector back on a sustainable footing was totally overlooked in this budget," she concluded.

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