The Senate will today debate Senator Rachel Siewert’s private member’s bill Social Services Legislation Amendment (Ending the Poverty Trap) Bill 2018 that will increase Newstart, Youth Allowance and other payments by $75 a week.

WHEN: Monday 22 July 2019 at 10am in the Senate Chamber

The Greens are today calling on the Government to urgently suspend the operation of the robo-debt program in Townsville.

“How heartless and insensitive can this Government get? ,” Australian Greens spokesperson on Family and Community Services Senator Rachel Siewert said.

“While people are coping with what is one of the most stressful and traumatic times in their lives, a natural disaster, their Government are chasing them down for money they probably don’t even owe.

The Australian Greens bill to increase Newstart, Social Services Legislation Amendment (Ending the Poverty Trap) Bill 2018 will be debated in the Senate next week in private members time.
 

The Australian Greens have welcomed changes to the deeming rates for part pensioners but condemn the Government for failing to address the appalling low rates of Newstart at the same time. 

“Those living on Newstart are doing it very tough. While the Greens agree that deeming rates need reform, the Government also has responsibility for those on Newstart and needs to show them compassion as well”, Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on Family and Community Services said today.

The Australian Greens are today urging the Coalition to implement the Uluru Statement of the Heart in its entirety.

Minister Wyatt’s National Press Club address today provided little clarity on his vision for constitutional recognition.
 

The Australian Greens said today that the Government should not just be considering deeming rates for part pensioners but should be looking at the appalling low rates of Newstart.
 

The Australian Greens have expressed concern for the people of Ceduna, East Kimberley, the Goldfields and Hinkler regions who were given false hope that it would become easier to get an exemption from the Cashless Debit Card from today.

“Unfortunately, the concerns I raised regarding the exemption process back in April have come to pass and there are a lot of people who are very frustrated right now,” Australian Greens spokesperson on Family and Community Services Senator Rachel Siewert said.

The Australian Greens are today calling for State and Federal Governments Australia wide to urgently work to overhaul approaches to youth justice, including legislating to raise the criminal age of responsibility to 14 years old.