Budget a step in the right direction

St Vincent de Paul Society national president Mark Gaetani said there were several initiatives in the 9 May federal Budget that laid a foundation for a fairer Australia. ‘However, the lack of substantial increases to JobSeeker and Commonwealth Rent Assistance condemns millions of Australians to continue to live in poverty and desperation.’

Jesuit Social Services was pleased with the positive investments in vital services such as Medicare but were also disappointed with the JobSeeker payment increase, saying it did almost nothing to lift vulnerable people out of poverty.

Jesuit Social Services CEO Julie Edwards said a modest $40 per fortnight increase to the JobSeeker payment and other related payments, with a higher payment for JobSeeker recipients aged over 55, would still leave too many Australians still living below the poverty line.

Mission Australia CEO Sharon Callister acknowledged the government’s intent to ease some of the pressures for people who are doing it tough, and its genuine discussions with the community sector. However, the organisation was disappointed by the lack of a serious move to make substantial increases to JobSeeker.

‘Additionally, there is no new initiative of scale to respond to the current devastating housing emergency – nothing to stop more and more people being pushed into homelessness across the country.’