ACOSS and Jobs Australia’s Faces of Unemployment report released today highlights exactly how difficult life is for people trying to find a job on Newstart.

“This report highlights demographic groups stuck long term on the appalling low Newstart and Youth Allowance payments and the failure of the current employment services to help certain groups, Australian Greens spokesperson on Family and Community Services Senator Rachel Siewert said.

The Senate has today supported the Greens motion calling for the Government to take urgent action to address the shameful rates of First Nations Peoples deaths in custody since the Royal Commission.

“It is appalling that we haven’t had comprehensive monitoring of deaths in custody since the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, Senator Rachel Siewert, spokesperson on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues said today.

“This issue is not being addressed with the urgency required. 

The Senate has today passed legislation that will see those under 36 years old who are receiving Newstart, Youth Allowance or Parenting Payments and who are living in the Bundaberg and Hervey Bay region have 80% of their income support compulsorily quarantined onto the Cashless Welfare Card.

The Transforming Australia: SDG Progress Report tracking Australia’s progress to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals has reported that a person on Newstart, who would have been near the poverty line in 2000, is now 25% below the poverty line.

“Newstart hasn’t increased since 1994, it is unacceptable that people looking for work are condemned to poverty because the Government refuses to take action, Australian Greens spokesperson on Family and Community Services Rachel Siewert said.

The Australian Greens welcome the Morrison Government’s scrapping of plans to raise the retirement age to 70.

“This measure was another example of how out of touch the Coalition Government is with our community. The measure wasn’t going to make it through the Senate anyway, Australian Greens spokesperson on Ageing Senator Rachel Siewert said.

“Let’s hope they can back up this decision with real action for older Australians experiencing difficulty, poverty and disadvantage.

The Australian Greens welcome Premier McGowan’s recommendation that the globally significant rock art of Murujuga (the Burrup Peninsula) be nominated for UNESCO’s Tentative World Heritage List but remain concerned about further industrial expansion near the sensitive rock art site.

The Catholic Church has rejected not just the recommendations from the Royal Commission, but also the advice of its own Truth Justice and Healing Council, by refusing to support lifting the veil of secrecy that prevents priests from telling police about child sexual abuse they hear in the confessional.

With the Church refusing to act, it is essential that all Australian governments immediately legislate to break the culture of secrecy in the Church and once and for all put children before religion.

Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said:

The Greens (WA) have doubled down on calls for the proposed Yeelirrie uranium mine to be scrapped, citing environmental concerns for endangered species and a lack of approval from local Aboriginal people.

Traditional owners, Nuclear Free campaigners and activists participating in the anti-nuclear Walkatjurra Walkabout event will complete their month long trek from Wiluna to Leonora on Saturday, to protest the proposed mine.

The National Social Security Rights Network report into how our income support system is