The Government’s too hard basket is overflowing today, as the vast majority of the Henry Review’s recommendations are ignored in favour of a couple of quick revenue raisers.

"The Government has failed yet again to take leadership on the tough issue of social security reform and has failed to deliver any Henry reforms that would have addressed Australia’s growing inequality and delivered a fair go to the disadvantaged and the working poor," Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens Spokesperson for Community Services said today.

The Australian Greens are calling for the Government’s response to the Henry Review to ensure disadvantaged Australians are not left worse off.

Australian Greens Community Services spokesperson Senator Rachel Siewert said increasing income support and protecting the not-for-profit sector’s access to the Fringe Benefits Tax should be key priorities. 

 “We have serious concerns that Australia’s not-for-profit sector will be hit hard by any changes which reduce or remove their fringe benefit tax entitlements,” said Senator Siewert.

I rise to comment on the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme Bill 2009 [No. 2] and related bills.

Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert joined Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Employment Participation Minister Mark Arbib in announcing a $50m local green jobs package in Perth today. These projects are the result of successful negotiation between the Rudd Government and the Greens to secure the passage of the economic stimulus package through the creation of around 10,000 local green jobs.

Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert today unveiled the first $50m of the $200m Local Jobs component of the Federal stimulus package which the Greens secured in their negotiations.

While we commend the government for undertaking some research into looking at the impact of the economic downturn on Australians, and particularly on the stress this is putting on non-government organisations and community service and support organisations, the report outlines just how much the call for emergency relief has increased in the community. However, for the government to then claim that it is making some new announcements on emergency relief in response to this is very disingenuous.