Newstart shame

in real terms, a claim verified by ANU professor Peter Whiteford, who has said “Newstart recipients are falling into continuously deepening poverty”.

The day after the Budget, Treasurer Scott Morrison said: “Our priority is to provide tax relief and ensure we create a stronger economy so we can provide those people not in work with the best from welfare which can be provided, which is a job … Newstart is not intended to be a payment you live on, it supports you while you get yourself back into work.”

But those words about Newstart not being intended as a payment you can live on will be unwelcome cold comfort to those who have few options but to try to do just that.

Disappointingly, there was not one word about Newstart in Opposition leader Bill Shorten’s address in reply to the Budget.

Labor has suggested a comprehensive review of welfare payments before deciding about a Newstart increase. This is almost equally cold comfort.

Support for increasing Newstart is coming from a cross-section of the Australian community — even the business sector.

Jennifer Westacott, of the Business Council, said in 2017, “We need a robust and targeted welfare safety net that ensures displaced workers don’t fall into poverty while finding their feet. This could include increasing the inadequate Newstart allowance.”

Economist Chris Richardson, of Deloitte Access Economics, said this year, “What Australia has failed to do with unemployment benefits for virtually a quarter of a century now is verging on a national embarrassment.”

There’s no doubt in my mind that a reasonable increase to Newstart would have beneficial multiplier effects for the economy, let alone an improved life — if only marginally — for those who are dependent upon it.

To fund this, perhaps one or two F-35A Joint Strike Fighters could be dropped off the Air Force’s 72-unit order. Would they be missed?

Maybe both major parties consider there are no votes in increasing Newstart but I reckon this is misguided. It’s not so much the votes of those directly affected but those fair-minded people in the broader community who want to see us better look after some of our most disadvantaged people.

ACOSS chief executive Cassandra Goldie put it this way, “The Treasurer said, ‘People are asking us what’s in it for me?’ I think he’s got us wrong. I think what people ask is, ‘What’s in it for us as a community?’ ”

Couldn’t say it better myself.