The Minister for Social Services has confirmed today during an Estimates hearing that the Government plans to extend the Jobseeker coronavirus supplement past December but would not confirm the amount and when we will see the legislation.

The Government needs to be clear about what they have planned for the Jobseeker payment and supplement. 

It’s unfair that Australians have had to wait to know whether there will be an extension and now uncertainty about the rate post December 31 will cause a huge amount of concern.

The Greens have called the Government's decision to recommence ‘debt raising’ against income support recipients a disgrace.
 
We are in a recession and a pandemic and instead of giving Australians certainty about their future and ensuring they won’t be living on $40 a day come December this Government is choosing to create more anxiety and fear in our community by chasing people for debts at a time in their life when many are at their most vulnerable. 

The Greens have condemned the Government’s reintroduction of the discriminatory remote work-for-the-dole scheme Community Development Program (CDP) that disproportionately impacts First Nations peoples. 
 
"It’s very disturbing to hear anecdotal claims from employment providers saying that the increase to income support is leading to more drinking and anti-social behaviours”, Greens spokesperson on Family and Community Services Senator Rachel Siewert said. 
 

The Australian Greens said today Anglicare Australia’s Jobs Snapshot once again demonstrates the urgent need for a permanent increase to JobSeeker and Youth Allowance to ensure that the payment is above the poverty line.

A study released by the Australian Gambling Research Centre (AGRC) today shows that gambling companies are using the pandemic as an opportunity to prey on people who may have more time  on their hands because of lockdown or job loss and are feeling anxious and alone. 
 
“The underhanded and sneaky tactics used by gambling campaigns through this pandemic show exactly why we need proper regulation nationally and in all States and Territories, including a national regulator and a national self-exclusion register”, Greens spokesperson on Gambling Senator Rachel Siewert said. 

Mental illness is one of the biggest challenges of the 21st century and access to treatments should be universal. People in our community should be able to get easy access to treatments in the same way they would for a broken leg or the flu,” Australian Greens spokesperson on mental health Senator Rachel Siewert said.

Mental ill health is the leading cause of sickness and long term work incapacity in the developed world. 

The Government has today introduced legislation that will make the Cashless Debit Card permanent in the current trial sites and introduce it to the Northern Territory and Cape York.
 
“This is a toxic piece of legislation. The Cashless Debit Card is denying people their dignity and quality of life”,  Australian Greens spokesperson on Family and Community Services Senator Rachel Siewert said.
 
The Cashless Debit Card is a punitive program that punishes people simply because they are on income support.
 

Yesterday I sought the support of the Senate to disallow the reintroduction of the liquid assets test waiting period for new claims for JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance and Austudy made from 25 September.
 
I am very disappointed that the Senate did not support the Greens disallowance motion to ensure that people who lose their jobs can get access to income support as soon as possible during this crisis. 
 
It is very unfair to make people use up almost all of their savings before they can access income support. It leaves them in a very precarious position. 

Yesterday I sought the support of the Senate to disallow the reintroduction of the liquid assets test waiting period for new claims for JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance and Austudy made from 25 September.
 
I am very disappointed that the Senate did not support the Greens disallowance motion to ensure that people who lose their jobs can get access to income support as soon as possible during this crisis. 
 
It is very unfair to make people use up almost all of their savings before they can access income support. It leaves them in a very precarious position. 

It is unconscionable that the Government did not include a permanent increase to Jobseeker in the budget.
 
If we can fund billions of dollars worth of tax cuts for the wealthy we can ensure that no one in this country is living in poverty.