Post by Denis-NFA on Jan 12, 2013 7:28:28 GMT 7
Shorten rejects jobless benefit boost call
EMPLOYMENT Minister Bill Shorten has rejected a call from business, welfare groups and unions to raise the level of unemployment benefits.
The Newstart allowance for single jobless Australians stands at $243 a week, compared with $345 for the Disability Support Pension (DSP).
Outgoing Australian Industry Group chief and new Reserve Bank of Australia board member Heather Ridout has called for the dole to be raised as part of a wider welfare reform.
But Mr Shorten has defended the $100 gap between unemployment and disability benefits, in an interview with The Australian.
"We need to remember that people on the DSP have special care and equipment needs, and recognise that disability is expensive," he said.
He also defended the existing benefit paid to the unemployed.
"Australia's social security system needs to provide a strong safety net for people who need financial assistance while also acting as an incentive for people to take up paid work."
A single person on the dole for a year would receive $12,700, which is well below the average full-time salary of $68,800.
EMPLOYMENT Minister Bill Shorten has rejected a call from business, welfare groups and unions to raise the level of unemployment benefits.
The Newstart allowance for single jobless Australians stands at $243 a week, compared with $345 for the Disability Support Pension (DSP).
Outgoing Australian Industry Group chief and new Reserve Bank of Australia board member Heather Ridout has called for the dole to be raised as part of a wider welfare reform.
But Mr Shorten has defended the $100 gap between unemployment and disability benefits, in an interview with The Australian.
"We need to remember that people on the DSP have special care and equipment needs, and recognise that disability is expensive," he said.
He also defended the existing benefit paid to the unemployed.
"Australia's social security system needs to provide a strong safety net for people who need financial assistance while also acting as an incentive for people to take up paid work."
A single person on the dole for a year would receive $12,700, which is well below the average full-time salary of $68,800.
