If you are living on the insufficient rates of social security (for example, the maximum rate of Jobseeker is $425 per week), an unexpected reduction, suspension or cancellation can easily lead to other crises — such as rent arrears, missed bills, or homelessness. By the time payment is reinstated, the damage is already done. Reductions, suspensions and cancellations take an incredible psychological and financial toll, and especially when they are the result of defective Government systems — which continues to happen under the Targeted Compliance Framework: https://buff.ly/pEKc0dT. The tens of thousands of people affected by these faulty and potentially unlawful system must be given clarity around compensation. This #AntiPovertyWeek (and beyond), we continue to call on Government to immediately stop payment suspensions; to abolish the TCF; and to work with social security recipients, employers and other key stakeholders to co-design an alternative that is lawful, procedurally fair, and which meets the needs of people looking for work. (fb)

This week during #AntiPovertyWeek we are reflecting on the fact that poverty exists in Australia that is poverty by design, notably through working-age social security payments that sit well below the poverty line. Although there have been small increases to these payments under the current Government, these have been far from enough to make any meaningful difference. Recent data from ACOSS and UNSW shows that 1 in 7 Australians are living in poverty — a 12.4% increase from 2020-21. In order to discontinue this backwards trend, it is essential to #RaiseTheRate of working-age payments immediately. We are also calling on the Government to immediately index and increase the rate of Remote Area Allowance (RAA). A study published in 2024 (linked below) estimated that living costs in remote areas are 40% higher than in urban areas — and yet RAA only provides an additional 1.5% to 2.8% in income support, and has not been increased in almost 25 years. This means current rates of social security, across payment types, are not only unfair but also inequitable. (fb)