Greens Continue to Oppose Unjust Newstart ‘Reforms’

The Tasmanian Greens have vowed to keep the pressure on the Federal Government and Opposition regarding income support for vulnerable families.

Greens Denison candidate Anna Reynolds spoke at today’s Single Parent Action Group Rally, representing Tasmanian Senators Peter Whish-Wilson and Christine Milne. She has heard many compelling stories of the additional burdens the decision has placed on single parents.

“Up to 84,000 single parents around the country have moved from Parenting Payment to Newstart since 1 January, leading to a loss in household income between $60-$100 per week.

“This cut removes important protections put in place as part of John Howard’s Welfare to Work Reforms in 2006.

“But with the surplus now abandoned, the time has come to ensure that the most vulnerable members of our community are not being left behind by economic policy.

“These cuts to parenting payments should be reversed and the rate of Newstart Allowance – which is widely acknowledged as inadequate – should be increased by $50 per week.

“Senator Whish-Wilson and I are concerned about the long term impacts of this policy on parents and their children, as they face the reality of life on Newstart.

“We shouldn’t be condemning people to poverty.

“The Greens are working hard while the Government has been doing its best to ignore this issue.”

Senators Milne and Whish-Wilson will be attending SPAG’s Canberra rally before parliament sits later today.
Greens Denison candidate Anna Reynolds