Increase Newstart says Labor senator

[Banker]

The federal government should stop trying to balance its budget off the back of society's weak and vulnerable, and increase the Newstart Allowance, says Labor senator Doug Cameron.

Under changes to the welfare payment scheme, the majority of the 84,000 single parents who receive Parenting Payments will be moved to the Newstart Allowance when their youngest child turns eight.

Senator Cameron says he could exist, but not live, on Newstart payments of $246 a week, or $35 a day.

He said Labor should increase the Newstart Allowance instead of trying to save $727 million over four years by taking payments away from the weakest and most vulnerable members of the community.

"We were in the process of trying to achieve a balanced budget," Senator Cameron told ABC radio on Thursday.

"I argued continually that you shouldn't try and achieve a balanced budget off the back of weak and vulnerable people, and that argument continues."

Senator Cameron said the Newstart Allowance was 30 per cent below the poverty line.

He said there was no evidence that forcing people on to charity and forcing them into poverty was an incentive to get a job.

"People are socially excluded when they are on such low payments," he said.

"They are existing by relying on charity and being in increased poverty. I don't believe that's living.
"It's not an incentive to get a job - how do they clothe themselves to look decent to get a job? How do they get from point A to point B?"

au.news.yahoo.com/latest/a/-/latest/15800139/increase-newstart-says-labor-senator/

[Banker]

Senator Doug Cameron might be worth contacting.

[Banjo]

Nah, it's pre-election bullshit, sounds like he's down the ticket and worried about his seat.

[baranghope]

The beat up to increase the base Newstart rate up from $492 per fortnight seems to be a hot football. Most recipients also get extra allowances, rent assistance, blah blah, right? The Yanks believe it or not pay a lot more for a few months, then feed you to the dogs with nada. Unemployment insurance is not really for a lifestyle, but I suppose an extra $40 a week would make life easier . . .

If they want to cut 40% of the DSPers off the books over a few years, and we are no longer allowed to reside overseas, then I'm afraid any rise in Newstart in the present climate cuts the lunch of the "lifer" recipients, who are currently indexed. We'll lose the Pensioner Bonus and any one-offs the day the LNP gets in . . . obviously Labor would be comfortable raising the Newstart base rate if they win the next election.

But that is the trouble with this topic on this Forum . . . it is really just political fodder for the anti-Labor knee jerkers.

[Banker]

Jan 10, 2013 10:25:00 GMT 7 Banjo said:

Nah, it's pre-election bullshit, sounds like he's down the ticket and worried about his seat.

Bullshit from a Politician, I find that errr hard to believe.

[Banker]

Have a heart and boost dole: Rudd

Former prime minister Kevin Rudd has urged the Government to show "a bit of a heart" and boost unemployment benefits, especially now that the budget surplus promise has been dumped.

There has been a growing push within Labor ranks to increase dole payments, although there is an about the best way to do that.

Mr Rudd has lent his support to the campaign for extra assistance for job seekers, in a move that will add pressure on the Government to act.

"This is a country with a bit of a heart... I think this is the sort of area where we should be showing a bit of a heart as well," Mr Rudd told ABC News 24.

"These are folk who are doing it tough, but I'm not going to get in the business of supporting one option or another.

"I think we could be doing more.

"I've also noted carefully what the Treasurer has said about the non-deliverability of the budget surplus. That decision he's announced last year does provide... a greater opportunity to attend to some pretty basic social needs like this one."

Senior Labor MP Joel Fitzgibbon yesterday described the idea of an across-the-board increase in the dole as a "lazy" policy option, and instead called for more targeted support to help people find work.

A significant challenge for the Government will be where to find the money for any dole increase, given other significant spending commitments to the National Disability Insurance Scheme and an overhaul of school funding.

Several Labor MPs have now suggested that the Government's decision to drop its promise of a budget surplus this financial year should allow it to fund a wider range of policy ideas.

The maximum level of unemployment support for a single person with no children is $246 per week, something the Greens, unions, community groups and business organisations all agree is too low.

Labor Senator Doug Cameron yesterday said it would impossible for any politician to live on that amount, .
The Government has said it is considering the issue of whether to increase unemployment benefits, but it will be done in the broader context of other spending commitments.

au.news.yahoo.com/latest/a/-/latest/15808437/have-a-heart-and-boost-dole-rudd/