Vulnerable Australians pushing govt to extend JobSeeker payments

Vulnerable Australians are extremely concerned they will be unable to cover basic cost-of-living expenses if the unemployment payment is reduced to pre-pandemic levels, according to Australian Council of Social Service boss Cassandra Goldie. ACOSS surveyed 1,000 people and found over 80 per cent were eating better, while over 50 per cent are far less concerned about money than they were prior to the welfare increase. Unemployed Australians can access the fortnightly $1,115.70 JobSeeker payment, which the government put in place to help those impacted by COVID-19. The JobKeeper payment is scheduled to end in September, meaning an unemployed person faces their welfare payments falling to $560 a fortnight for singles, which equates to $40 a day Ms Goldie told Sky News there is a consensus within the community, including from business, welfare payments cannot go back to pre-COVID levels. "We think it's vital the government makes sure social security safety net is fixed to protect people from poverty," she said. "The old tired idea that the best way to support people into a job is to starve people is completely out of touch with the reality of what people need to secure employment. "If you want people to be able to get back into paid work..they will need not to worry about the very basics." Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au