Good news for pension recipients! Millions of Australians could see a cash boost to help with the cost of living
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We all know how tough it is to make ends meet these days. The cost of living seems to be increasing every day, with what feels like little being done to help vulnerable Aussies cope with their new reality.
But there could soon be some relief for those who are doing it tough, with the announcement that welfare payments will be increased for millions of Australians.
With the advocacy for a rise in welfare payments being a major push in recent weeks, Independent Senator David Pocock announced on Sunday that he has come to an agreement with the Labor government to support their industrial relations bill.
However, the support is conditional – Pocock said that he agreed to back the legislation very recently if 'numerous amendments' will be made to the legislation to address the concerns of a wide range of groups.
The senator remarked: 'This is now a substantially different bill to the one introduced in the House of Representatives a month ago. It is better for business, better for workers and makes sure the most vulnerable in our community are no longer left behind.'
'I have worked with the government to push them as far as they would go, and then a step further to ensure they addressed key concerns raised with me.'
'This legislation introduces significant reforms to the Australian industrial relations system that will benefit women and low-paid workers in particular.'
Mr Pocock described the bill as a 'game changer' for people living below the poverty line in Australia, saying that the government will also receive expert advice from an independent body.
He also added that the expert body will make their recommendations — which will detail the improvements that need to be done to ensure that the most vulnerable in our community are no longer left behind — available to the public at least two weeks before the budget.
However, it is not expected that the increase will be as significant as the last one, which was announced in September, in line with price indexation, and increased the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension and Carer Payments by $38.90 per fortnight for singles (from $936.80 to $975.70) and $58.80 per fortnight for couples (from $1,412.40 to $1,471.20).
The senator said that in addition to reforming the labour system and providing women and low-paid workers with benefits, the legislation will also better support small businesses and better protect low-paid workers who are reliant on government assistance.
'Support payments are inadequate and not keeping pace with inflation, meaning those who need support are living in deepening levels of poverty,' he added.
'A recent report showed one in six children are living in poverty.'
Key Takeaways
Centrelink payments could soon increase for millions of Australians after an agreement was made between Senator David Pocock and the Labor government.
The increase in payments will be depending on the advice from an independent review body and is not expected to be as big as the last increase.
The increase in payments will be welcomed by many Australians who are struggling to make ends meet.
Aside from the pension payments, JobSeeker, Parenting Payment, ABSTUDY, and Rent Assistance payments will also receive boosts.
JobSeeker for singles without children saw their payments go up by $25.70 per fortnight to $677.20, while Parenting Payment Single rose by $35.20 to $927.40. The rate for partnered JobSeeker Payment and Parenting Payment recipients increased by $23.40 to $616.60.
What are your thoughts, members? Should the government make increases in welfare payments every time the Consumer Price Index (CPI) goes up? Share your insights with us in the comments below!
But there could soon be some relief for those who are doing it tough, with the announcement that welfare payments will be increased for millions of Australians.
With the advocacy for a rise in welfare payments being a major push in recent weeks, Independent Senator David Pocock announced on Sunday that he has come to an agreement with the Labor government to support their industrial relations bill.
However, the support is conditional – Pocock said that he agreed to back the legislation very recently if 'numerous amendments' will be made to the legislation to address the concerns of a wide range of groups.
The senator remarked: 'This is now a substantially different bill to the one introduced in the House of Representatives a month ago. It is better for business, better for workers and makes sure the most vulnerable in our community are no longer left behind.'
'I have worked with the government to push them as far as they would go, and then a step further to ensure they addressed key concerns raised with me.'
'This legislation introduces significant reforms to the Australian industrial relations system that will benefit women and low-paid workers in particular.'
Mr Pocock described the bill as a 'game changer' for people living below the poverty line in Australia, saying that the government will also receive expert advice from an independent body.
He also added that the expert body will make their recommendations — which will detail the improvements that need to be done to ensure that the most vulnerable in our community are no longer left behind — available to the public at least two weeks before the budget.
However, it is not expected that the increase will be as significant as the last one, which was announced in September, in line with price indexation, and increased the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension and Carer Payments by $38.90 per fortnight for singles (from $936.80 to $975.70) and $58.80 per fortnight for couples (from $1,412.40 to $1,471.20).
The senator said that in addition to reforming the labour system and providing women and low-paid workers with benefits, the legislation will also better support small businesses and better protect low-paid workers who are reliant on government assistance.
'Support payments are inadequate and not keeping pace with inflation, meaning those who need support are living in deepening levels of poverty,' he added.
'A recent report showed one in six children are living in poverty.'
Key Takeaways
Centrelink payments could soon increase for millions of Australians after an agreement was made between Senator David Pocock and the Labor government.
The increase in payments will be depending on the advice from an independent review body and is not expected to be as big as the last increase.
The increase in payments will be welcomed by many Australians who are struggling to make ends meet.
Aside from the pension payments, JobSeeker, Parenting Payment, ABSTUDY, and Rent Assistance payments will also receive boosts.
JobSeeker for singles without children saw their payments go up by $25.70 per fortnight to $677.20, while Parenting Payment Single rose by $35.20 to $927.40. The rate for partnered JobSeeker Payment and Parenting Payment recipients increased by $23.40 to $616.60.
What are your thoughts, members? Should the government make increases in welfare payments every time the Consumer Price Index (CPI) goes up? Share your insights with us in the comments below!