The Australian Greens have today slammed the Government’s position on Newstart as untenable and out of step with community expectations. 

"Let’s be clear, it’s the Government who is choosing to keep people in poverty", Australian Greens spokesperson on Family and Community Services Senator Rachel Siewert said. 

"Their refusal to increase Newstart flies in the face of evidence of what we need for healthy and thriving people and communities. 

Greens say there continues to be a lack of transparency and accountability on Robodebt with Government departments failing to answer key questions such as  numbers involved, timelines, legal advice, costing and the on-going process at a Community Affairs Committee hearing today.
 
“People affected by the Robodebt process deserve answers, they need to know what is happening and what the process will be. The Government seems to be making this up as they go along," Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on Family and Community Services said. 
 

The Greens have today said that the Government’s sudden cuts to National Family Violence Prevention and Legal Services Forum is completely out of line with the Close the Gap refresh and principles of co-design.

“This is a devastating decision for First Nations women and their children who have a right to access services that are culturally appropriate.

“We will not close the gap and lives will be at risk.

The Senate has today passed a Greens’ motion calling on the Government to include the changes to the Robodebt process in MYEFO, including the costs to review income averaging cases of the Robodebt program and the number of people who may be eligible for a refund and/or compensation.
 
“The Government is in denial about what an absolute mess Robodebt has ended up being. 
 
“From the start, it was an ideologically driven program to claw back savings from people on the lowest incomes in our community. 
 

“The Government has today defied the Senate and refused to produce the legal advice relating to the decision to stop relying on income averaging under the Income Compliance Program. 

The Senate has today passed a Greens motion for an order for the production of documents that the Government provide the legal advice relating to the decision to stop relying on income averaging under the Income Compliance Program.
 
“Legal professional privilege is not a recognised ground for refusing to provide information to the Senate, Australian Greens spokesperson on Family and Community Services Senator Rachel Siewert. 
 

“I moved to disallow the original regulation because it was overwhelming considered by stakeholders to be flawed and it is feared that the regulation could lead to an increased use of chemical restraints, Australian Greens spokesperson on Ageing Senator Rachel Siewert said.
 
“In light of what the Royal Commission interim report said I’m disappointed at the piecemeal amendments they have made. They simply do not go far enough to protect older Australians.
 

The Australian Greens are pleased that the Government appears to have finally realised how fundamentally flawed the robodebt system is.

The Greens have written to Minister Robert to seek assurances that people on income support in fire and emergency zones do not have their payments cut off, suspended or receive demerit points if they are unable to meet their mutual obligations or report their income due to the fire emergency.
 
“There is a likelihood that within these zones it will be extremely difficult for people to meet their obligations and reporting requirements,“ Australian Greens spokesperson on Family and Community Services Senator Rachel Siewert said today. 
 

Senator Rachel Siewert will today introduce a private members bill that amends the Governor-General Act 1974 to stop paying standard allowances to former Governors-General, and their spouses, where they have engaged in serious misconduct.