“The Federal Government’s announcement today to cut JobSeeker even further, will have a disastrous impact on people impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and without work.
“The Coronavirus Supplement has been essential for people to be able to put three meals on the table each day, pay their rent and keep the lights on.
“People on the lowest incomes, who have been subjected to the sharp tightening of the economy due to the COVID-19 pandemic should not be plunged into poverty and financial hardship.
“Times like these demonstrate exactly why we need a robust, accessible and effective social security system to provide a safety net for people who are locked out of paid employment.
“Cutting the Coronavirus Supplement at this time is pure and calculated cruelty. The Federal Government have decided to adopt the role of Scrooge, condemning people who are locked out of paid work to a very difficult Christmas.
“It is unacceptable that we have anyone in our society living in poverty, let alone that the Federal Government is actively and knowingly pushing people into it.
“We are rebuilding from one of the largest health and economic crises this country has ever faced, but the Federal Government is turning its back on people who are doing it tough, and leave them behind in the nation’s recovery.
“Cutting the supplement now, with unemployment still rising, people struggling to keep up with rental and mortgage payments, and more hardship on the horizon, is reckless and irresponsible.”
Ends.
These comments can be attributed to Louise Giolitto, Chief Executive Officer, Western Australian Council of Social Service.
Media contact: Louise Giolitto, Chief Executive Officer, WACOSS, 0411 534 911.
