Last week the Senate voted down a motion to increase Newstart by $75 a week which was put forward by the Greens.
WA senator Rachel Siewert said Newstart had not had an increase since 1994 and that jobseekers were forced to live in poverty on $38 a day.
“The median house price in my home town of Perth in 1994 was $123, 125 and look at house prices now,” she said.
“For over two decades both the major parties have lacked political will and refused to increase Newstart.
“A growing group of people and organisations including economists, service deliverers, local councils and the broader community are calling for an increase.”
The Australian Council of Social Services launched a campaign to Raise the Rate noting more than 800,000 Australians were struggling daily to afford basic essentials like housing and food.
Have your say: Should the Newstart allowance be increased after 24 years? Why or why not? Email editorial.bdmail@fairfaxmedia.com.au.
