Interim Report Offers No Answers on Job Creation - Anglicare
30 June 2014 at 12:07 pm
Welfare organisation Anglicare Australia has slammed the Federal Government’s interim report on the welfare review saying it doesn't answer the big questions on adequate income and job creation.
The report called A New System for Better Employment and Social Outcomes has recommended cuts to the Disability Support Pension – where only people with a permanent disability could receive the payment.
The Report, which is being led by former Mission Australia CEO Patrick McClure, has also questioned the age at which young people can receive income support in their own right.
In a tweet, Anglicare Australia questioned whether the report really answered the big questions – “how to ensure an adequate income and who'll create the jobs we need?”.
“We are very concerned with the plan to shift more people off the Disability Pension onto Newstart, or something similar,” Anglicare Australia acting Executive Director Roland Manderson said.
“Firstly there are not the jobs available for people with disability to fill. Secondly, the Disability Pension already only goes to people who really are extensively incapacitated.
“The talk about giving people more incentive to work can end up as code for undermining their security, and allow others to blame them for their circumstances.”
Manderson said the underlying issue was that pensions and allowances were simply too low.
“Unless the McClure panel argues for real increases in income support, its recommendations will simply push people further into hardship,” he said.
“Of course, there are many more elements in this review that warrant a close look. The government has had the paper since before Easter.
“To release it now while the sector is still dealing with the incredible workload brought on by this budget, and allow only six weeks for response, does not suggest the government is interested in the views of the sector, nor the people who will be most affected.”
The following Interim Report documents are available at www.dss.gov.au/welfarereform
