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 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 are calling for a significant overhaul of the IAS following a repo

The Australian Greens are calling on the Government to immediately suspend the controversial robodebt program while a review is undertaken.

“We will go back to Parliament in a couple of weeks to rush through tax cuts for high income earners while those living below the poverty line are being harassed by their own Government to pay back debts they don’t even owe,” Senator Rachel Siewert said.

 “It was the recommendation of a senate inquiry that I chaired over two years ago to suspend robodebt until the issues could be ironed out, particularly the use of “income averaging”.

The Australian Greens will build a new employment services system that assists people into fulfilling employment pathways and provides specialised help to those facing significant barriers. We want our new employment services system to achieve better outcomes for unemployed workers.

The Australian Greens are calling on the major parties to lift their game when it comes to increasing Newstart and addressing poverty in Australia.

"It is despicable that both major parties are prepared to leave people living in poverty, while they either tell us about a “review” or make up nonsense about so –called supplementary payments, Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on Family and Community services said today.

The Greens are calling on the Federal Government to guarantee that people in the South West continue to have access to quality mental health services during the transition to the NDIS.

“After visiting providers and stakeholders in the South West I have serious concerns about funding for and access to mental health services with the roll out of the NDIS for people who are currently on Commonwealth funded services,” Senator Rachel Siewert said.