MEDIA RELEASE - STRONG COMMUNITY SUPPORTS A NEWSTART INCREASE - WEDNESDAY, 7 AUGUST 2019

STRONG COMMUNITY SUPPORTS A NEWSTART INCREASE
 

New analysis by Essential Research shows 75 per cent of Australians support an increase in Newstart.

This includes over two-thirds support among Coalition voters (68 per cent).

The Prime Minister and Treasurer are increasingly out-of-touch with the Australian community – who know that the current rate of Newstart is too low.

In a developed country like Australia, everyone should be able to afford the basics.

And children should all get a good start in life – no matter what their parents’ circumstances.

Newstart is so low that people can’t afford transport to interviews, appropriate clothes and equipment, or access the training and education they need to get into the workforce.

The Prime Minister needs to listen to former leaders and his own backbench – with John Howard, Russell Broadbent, Dean Smith, Arthur Sinodinos, John Hewson and Barnaby Joyce all calling for an increase to Newstart.

Voices in the community have also been loud and clear including ACOSS, the Business Council of Australia and the Reserve Bank.

Newstart is too low – it’s so low its pushing people into poverty and preventing them from getting work.

WEDNESDAY, 7 AUGUST 2019