ABN: 76 002 708 714 102/55 Holt Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010
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Welfare Rights Centre is a member of the National Association of Community Legal Centres™
Media Release
10 February 2010
Weekly Centrelink payments on the money
The Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs introduced
legislation today to allow limited voluntary weekly payment of Social Security benefits.
“The payment of income support weekly instead of fortnightly will make a great difference to the
lives some of the most disadvantaged people in our community,” said Maree O’Halloran,
Director of the Welfare Rights Centre.
“People participating in weekly payment trials increased their ability to manage their finances
and some of the severe stress on their lives and their families was reduced. Very vulnerable
clients have been able to turn their lives around with improved health and more stable
accommodation. The result is reduced costs in terms of demands on the health and legal
systems.
“Weekly payments may also help people avoid having their finances managed by the Office of
the Protective Commissioner, stripping them of independence.
“The Government’s own analysis found that people coped better on weekly payments and were
more able to undertake training or enter the labour market. This approach has also led to a
significant decline in the incidence of breaches and debts.
“Welfare Rights remains critically concerned, however, about the inadequacy of Social Security
payments – at just $32 a day for an unemployed person. Nevertheless, weekly payments will
make it a little easier for people in difficult circumstances.
“Welfare Rights would also suggest that the Government consider weekly payments along with
Centrelink’s Centrepay bill-paying service as an alternative to expanding income quarantining.
Quarantining 50 percent of a person’s income support payment may, for example, have the
perverse effect of pushing people with poor money management skills to seek out high-cost
credit options.
“Overall, the policy of voluntary weekly payments is common sense response that deserves
bipartisan support. We look forward to working with the government about how people will be
able to access the weekly payments.”
For comment: Maree O’Halloran, Director, Welfare Rights Centre: 0417 672 104
or Gerard Thomas, Policy and Media Officer: 0425 296 882.
NEWS 
