RECALL PARLIAMENT AND REINTRODUCE THE COVID SUPPLEMENT NOW!
The Australian Unemployed Workers’ Union calls on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to immediately recall parliament to raise social security payments above the poverty line.
The Covid situation in Sydney is rapidly deteriorating. And there are rumours floating around that the next sitting week of parliament will be pushed back to September. This is absolutely unacceptable. This is a dereliction of duty. The only way to help people through this crisis is for the government to get back to work and reintroduce proper support, not insufficient payments with cryptic eligibility rules.
People’s health and livelihoods are at risk and this is no time to use a lockdown as an excuse to do nothing.
The Prime Minister needs to show leadership for a change. Stop playing with the lives of poor people by increasing income support and concentrate on fixing the absolute clusterfuck that is the vaccine rollout.
This is not the time for lily-livered approaches. ALL social security payments need to be raised ABOVE the Henderson Poverty Line, currently $1,150 per fortnight, as a matter of utmost urgency.
Once again, we are demanding the following:
1 - Another $750 emergency payment.
2 - The return of the full COVID supplement of $550 per fortnight to bring ALL social security payments above the Henderson Poverty Line.
3 - Full suspension of “mutual” obligations.
4 - Suspension of the liquid assets test.
5 - Suspension of all cashless welfare programs.
These payments should be extended to all visa holders, including students, not currently eligible for income support.
Media contact: Jez Heywood 0421 283 037 / media at auwu.online