1,000 signatures reached
To: Scott Morrison, Bill Shorten
Raise Newstart to the Poverty Line
Hundreds of thousands of unemployed Australians are needlessly suffering and starving on the punitively low Newstart entitlement. Surviving on less than $40/day, Newstart recipients are struggling to put food on the table and keep a roof over their head -- let alone do all they need to in order to find work.
As federal leaders, you have the power to end this misery, and restore dignity and security to people locked out of paid work through no fault of their own.
That's why the Australian Unemployed Workers' Union is demanding that the Federal government increase the Newstart Allowance and related payments to the Henderson poverty line.
As federal leaders, you have the power to end this misery, and restore dignity and security to people locked out of paid work through no fault of their own.
That's why the Australian Unemployed Workers' Union is demanding that the Federal government increase the Newstart Allowance and related payments to the Henderson poverty line.
Why is this important?
Newstart is $243 per week below the poverty line. Thanks to our government's refusal to raise the rate, unemployed Australians are being forced to needlessly endure crushing poverty every single day of their lives.
Because there are far more job seekers than jobs available, the average time spent on Newstart is now five-and-a-half years. According to the ABS, there are currently 16 job seekers competing for every job available.
In a wealthy country like Australia, which has "enjoyed" almost three decades of continuous economic growth, nobody should have to starve on lowly social security entitlements.
We must fight for the right of unemployed workers to a liveable income.
We must demand our leaders immediately raise Newstart to the poverty line.
Because there are far more job seekers than jobs available, the average time spent on Newstart is now five-and-a-half years. According to the ABS, there are currently 16 job seekers competing for every job available.
In a wealthy country like Australia, which has "enjoyed" almost three decades of continuous economic growth, nobody should have to starve on lowly social security entitlements.
We must fight for the right of unemployed workers to a liveable income.
We must demand our leaders immediately raise Newstart to the poverty line.