Data tabled at estimates shows a stark increase in the number of people receiving financial penalties under the draconian targeted compliance framework introduced in July 2018 under the Government’s welfare reform measures.

“I asked for this updated data because I was deeply concerned about what this compliance framework would mean for people on income support. Unfortunately my fears for people on income support have been confirmed”, Senator Rachel Siewert said.

Evidence provided at Estimates today has revealed that the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) has seen a significant increase in appeals relating to Centrelink including a:

• 77% increase in appeals relating to the Disabilty Support Pension (DSP)

• 41% increase in appeals relating to Newstart

• 34% increase in appeals relating to Youth Allowance 

There was also a 75% increase in appeals relating to the NDIS

The Australian Greens have provided additional comments to the inquiry into jobactive as while we are supportive of the Majority Report recommendations we believe that they do not go far enough in addressing the serious issues raised during the inquiry process. 

The Greens are calling for Work for the Dole and the Targeted Compliance Framework (TCF) to be abolished.

“This inquiry has overwhelmingly demonstrated that the jobactive system is not fit for purpose and is failing unemployed workers", Senator Rachel Siewert said.

The Greens want to see the ParentNext program suspended and the Government reassess their approach if they really care about supporting parents. Their comments come in the wake of reports that one in five parents, the majority of whom are women have been suspended or lost their payment in just the first six months of the rollout of the program.

“The latest figures showing the high number of parents and of course their children that have been suspended from payments is deeply concerning and should send a signal to Government that this program has very serious problems. 

The Greens are calling on Bill Shorten to commit to abandoning the cashless debit card trials Australia wide if they win Government this year.

“While it’s a positive development that Mr Shorten has finally realised that income management is a punitive approach with no evidence that it works, he must commit to abandoning all of the trial sites, Senator Rachel Siewert, Greens spokesperson on Family and Community Services said.

The Australian Greens call on the Government to scrap the operation of the punitive targeted compliance framework in the ParentsNext program as complaints about the program grow.

“Parents are getting their payments suspended for things like missing appointments or activities because they have to take a child to a medical appointment and they are quitting units of study because they can’t miss an appointment or an “activity". 

The Australian Greens will continue to push for an urgent $75 a week increase to Newstart.

“It is extremely disappointing and disheartening that Mr Shorten doesn’t think that addressing poverty is a priority for the Australian Labor Party, Australian Greens spokesperson on Family and Community Services Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

"Mr Shorten has an opportunity to show some leadership and commit to delivering a policy outcome in the interests of some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

The Australian Greens call for Government to abandon the targeted compliance framework and urgently reform employment services.

“Between the I want to work, Employment Services 2020 Report and the evidence we have already heard during the senate inquiry hearings into jobactive it is clear that employment services aren’t working and providers are more focused on compliance rather than finding people jobs, particularly since the introduction of the Targeted Compliance Framework, Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on Family and Community Service said today.

I am gob smacked by the Morrison Government’s announcement that they will be extending the cashless debit card trails and adding a new site, Australian Greens spokesperson on Family and Community Services Senator Rachel Siewert said today. 

"The Government is falsely claiming there is evidence that these trials are working, the evidence is not there, they are simply pursuing their ideological agenda.

"I as in Bundaberg and Hervey Bay earlier this week and the community is devastated by what this card will mean for them and their children.

With both major parties in South Australia now supporting an increase to Newstart, Shorten’s Labor are running out of excuses as to why they can’t commit to raising the rate of Newstart now.

“It’s been clear for years and years now that the rate of Newstart is too low. Now with pressure from the community, social service and business sectors, economists, the Greens and now the cross-bench we see that the heat is really on the major parties, Australian Greens spokesperson on Family and Community Services Senator Rachel Siewert said today.