C/- PO Box 387,
Civic Square, ACT, 2608
Ph: (02) 6247 2177
Fax: (02) 6257 4801
The NWRN is a network of
services throughout
Australia that provide free
and independent
information, advice and
representation to individuals
about Social Security law
and its administration
through Centrelink.
For member details, services
and information visit:
MEDIA RELEASE
24 FEBRUARY 2009
National Welfare Rights
Network welcomes help
for unemployed people
The National Welfare Rights Network (NWRN) welcomes today’s
announcement by Prime Minister Rudd to allow retrenched workers
immediate access to increased employment services to help them to
find a new job. Previously workers facing that difficult situation were
forced to wait 3 months for more intensive help and access to
Stream 2 assistance.
“NWRN understands that new funding has been released for this
program and to fund additional training places to specifically target
those who become unemployed as a result of the current economic
downturn. We commend the Government’s commitment to provide
this additional assistance to newly unemployed people however we
urge the Government not to lose sight of the need for major reform
to both the rates and indexation arrangements for Newstart
Allowance,” commented Kate Beaumont, President of the National
Welfare Rights Network.
Currently the Newstart Allowance for a single unemployed person is
just under $225 per week. The Youth Allowance for a single
unemployed person less than 21 years of age is just under $185 per
week. In certain circumstances Rent Assistance can be paid up to a
maximum of $56 per week but this reduces if people are sharing
accommodation.
“In the lead up to the Federal Budget in May, we urge the
Government to consider the following reforms to help people who
are unemployed:
1.
Increase the Allowance payment rates by $30 per week and
index them in the same way as pensions.
2.
Extend the Utilities Allowance of $500 per year to people who
are unemployed.
3.
Make the recent reform to the Liquid Assets waiting period a
permanent change rather than time limited to 31 March 2011 and
further reform other waiting periods to exclude redundancy
payments from the calculation of Income Maintenance Periods.
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For comment: Kate Beaumont on 0414 792 923 or
Gerard Thomas, Policy and Media Officer: 0425 296 882.
NEWS 
