AUWU calls on Morrison to abandon proposed JobSeeker rate cut
The prime minister has announced a further cut to unemployment payments of $50 per week
Update: Later on 10 November the prime minister announced that he intends to proceed with the $50 per week cut. The AUWU is campaigning against this. Search and use the hashtag #NotALifeline.
The Australian Unemployed Workers’ Union is distressed to learn through the media that the Morrison government is considering another reckless cut unemployment payments. The Australian reported this morning that cabinet is considering reducing JobSeeker and related payments to $350 per week. We call on the prime minister to reject this obscene plan.
Slashing below-poverty-line payments by a further $50 per week is no lifeline. We need care and empathy, not more senseless cruelty.
Any government that makes a decision to force people to live in poverty is morally bankrupt. It’s a choice.
It’s offensive that the government would make this heartless decision while trying to force through its plan for a $200 per week handout to employers for each JobSeeker they hire people into low paid, insecure jobs.
That money would be better spent in unemployed people’s pockets. The JobMaker hiring credit is a $4 billion boondoggle that won’t help us.
If the government goes ahead with this vile plan more than 2.3 million people will have their payment slashed on 1 January, affecting 1.1 million children in families who rely on income support. It will put millions further into hardship and worsen the struggle to pay for food, rent, bills and medical care.
Media contact: 0413 261 362 / media at auwu.org.au
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