Joint Statement: The Next Government Must Raise the Rate Joint Statement: The Next Government Must Raise the Rate The Statement We call on the next government to Raise the Rate of JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment and related income support payments to ensure that everyone can cover the basics. JobSeeker is just $56 a day and Youth Allowance is even less at $48 a day. These payments sit well below all measures of adequacy, with JobSeeker just 43.5% of the minimum wage and well below the poverty line. People receiving JobSeeker are 14 times more likely to go without a substantial meal a day, with many skipping essential medication and healthcare just to keep a roof over their head. Research shows that there are no affordable rentals for someone receiving JobSeeker or Youth Allowance. The independent Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee has recommended JobSeeker and related payments substantially increase as its top priority for three years running, with its latest report finding that doing so “would deliver significant economic and social benefits.” Raising the Rate of these payments is the most important thing the next government could do to address the cost-of-living crisis for people on the lowest incomes who most need support. To do so would benefit more than 1.5 million people.This is easy to implement, not a complex reform. We urge the next government to substantially raise the rate of these payments so that people do not need to go without food, healthcare and a safe place to call home. SignatoriesPoliticians and candidatesZali Steggall MP, Independent Member for WarringahKylea Tink, North Sydney, MPMonique Ryan, Independent MP for KooyongSophie Scamps MP, Member for MackellarHelen Haines MP, Member for IndiAndrew Wilkie MP, Independent Member for ClarkZoe Daniel, MP, Member for GoldsteinKate Chaney MP, Member for CurtinAllegra Spender MP, Member for WentworthBridget Archer MP, Member for BassDavid Pocock, Independent Senator for the ACTJacqui Lambie, Senator for TasmaniaFatima Payman, Australia’s Voice, Senator for WAAdam Bandt, Australian Greens, Member for MelbournePenny Allman-Payne, Queensland, SenatorBarbara Pocock, Australian Greens, SenatorPeter Whish-Wilson, Australian Greens, Senator for TasmaniaJordan Steele-John, Australian Greens, Senator for WADavid Shoebridge, Australian Greens, Senator for NSWBarbara Pocock, Australian Greens, Senator for South AustraliaNick McKim, Australian Greens, Senator for TasmaniaSteph Hodgins-May, Australian Greens, Senator for VictoriaSarah Hanson-Young, Australian Greens, Senator for SADorinda Cox, Australian Greens, Senator for WAMax Chandler-Mather, Australian Greens, Member for GriffithLidia Thorpe, Senate, Senator for VictoriaSarah Hanson-Young, The Australian Greens, Senator for South AustraliaElizabeth Watson-Brown, Greens MP for Ryan, Federal MemberLarissa Waters, Australian Greens, Senator for QueenslandMehreen Faruqi, Australian Greens, Deputy Leaser & Senator for NSWCaz Heise, Candidate, Independent candidate for CowperClaire Miles, Claire Miles Independent, Independent candidateAdam Martin, Independent for Braddon, CandidateJessie Price, Independent Candidate for BeanImelda Adamson Agars, Fusion Party Australia, Senate Candidate South AustraliaVerity Cooper, Independent for Sturt, CandidateDani Hunterford, Australian Greens, Candidate for FennerJanet Shelley, Australian Greens, Federal Candidate for ClarkMandy Nolan, Australian Greens, Candidate for RichmondHuong Truong, Australian Greens, Candidate for FraserVanessa Bleyer, Australian Greens, Senate CandidateAlysia Regan, Australian Greens, Candidate for IndiErin Morrow, Australian Greens, Candidate for BraddonPonraj Krishna pandi, The Greens Victoria, Candidate for GellibrandLuke Skinner, The Australian Greens, Candidate for SpenceRemah Naji, The Greens, Candidate for MoretonSarah Newman, Victorian Greens, Candidate for HawkeHannah Thomas, The Greens, Candidate for GrayndlerMandy Nolan, The Australian Greens, Candidate for RichmondJoanna Wells, SA Greens, Candidate for BoothbyEmilie Flynn, Greens, Candidate for CorioVinnie Batten, Australian Greens, Candidate for DicksonRhonda Garad, The Greens, Candidate for BruceTrenton Hoare, The Australian Greens, Senate Candidate for TasmaniaJohn Photakis, Australian Greens, Greens Candidate for KingstonBlair McFarland, NT greens, Candidate LingiariAmy Mills, Victorian Greens, Candidate for DeakinAia Newport, The Greens, Senate CandidateGeorgia Beardman, Australian Greens, Federal Candidate for ForrestAlana Galli-McRostie, The Greens Party, Candidate for GoldsteinOwen Fitzgerld, The Australian Greens, Candidate for FranklinNick Ward, The Greens, Candidate for WentworthAnnie Price, Australian Greens Victoria, Candidate for IndiClint Uink, The Greens (WA), Candidate for SwanLiz Tilly, Greens, Candidate for ParramattaSamuel Moore, The Australian Greens, Australian Green’s candidate for MakinAlana Galli-McRostie, The Greens, Candidate for GoldsteinMatthew Wright, The Greens South Australia, Candidate for HindmarshAmy Mills, Victorian Greens, Candidate for DeakinSonya Semmens, Greens, Candidate for MacnamaraTim Randall, Australian Greens (Victoria), Candidate for ChisholmSam Carter, The Greens, Candidate for BeanPonraj Krishna pandi, Greens, Candidate for GellibrandVinnie Batten, Australian Greens, Federal candidate for DicksonSophie Greer, Australian Greens, Candidate for PerthRemah Naji, Queensland Greens, Candidate for MoretonSarah Newman, Australian Greens Victoria, Federal Candidate for HawkeStephen Bates, Queensland Greens, Member for BrisbanePhillip Musumeci, Greens, Candidate in LeichhardtJohn Photakis, Australian Greens, Greens Candidate for KingstonManal Bahsa, The Greens, Candidate for BartonVinnie Batten, Australian Greens, Federal Candidate for DicksonHannah Thomas Greens Candidate for GrayndlerEmilie Flynn, Greens, CandidateJackie Carter, Australian Greens, Candidate for KooyongTara Burnett, Australian Greens Victoria, Candidate for CooperTrenton Hoare, The Australian Greens, Senate Candidate – TasmaniaPayal TIWARI, Australian Greens, Federal elected candidate – HoltDani Hunterford, Australian Greens, Candidate for FennerJy Sandford, The Greens, Greens Candidate for JagajagaOther signatoriesNicki Hutley, EconomistChris Richardson, EconomistNicholas Gruen, Lateral Economics, EconomistJeff Borland, University of Melbourne, Professor of EconomicsDevin Bowles, ACTCOSS, CEORoss Womersley, SACOSS, CEOLouise Giolitto, WACOSS, CEOJuanita Pope, VCOSS, CEOCara Varian, NCOSS, CEOAimee McVeigh, QCOSS, CEOAdrienne Picone, TasCOSS, CEOSally Sievers, NTCOSS, CEOLisa Annese, CEW, Chief Executive OfficerCarolyn Nikoloski, Mental Health Australia, CEOTerese Edwards, Single Mother Families Australia Inc, Chief ExecutiveBen Phillips, Australian National University, Associate ProfessorSaul Eslake, Corinna Economic Advisory Pty Ltd, Founder and PrincipalClaudia Fatone, Women’s Legal Service Victoria, CEOKaren Walsh, National Shelter, CEODaniel Moorfield, SecondBite, CEOSebastian Zagarella, People with Disability Australia, CEORobyn Sampson, Baptist Care Australia, CEOCorinne Dobson, ACT Shelter, CEOSharon Callister, Mission Australia, CEOHannah Badland, RMIT, Director, Social Equity Research CentreMaiy Azize, Everybody’s Home, National SpokespersonKatherine Boyle, Welfare Rights Centre, CEOJennie Gray, Women’s Legal Service WA, CEOJames Goth, OzHarvest, CEOStacey Thomas, The Wyatt Trust, CEOLara Freidin, Women’s Legal Services Australia, Executive OfficerDavid Morawetz, Social Justice Fund, Founder and DirectorKate Colvin, Homelessness Australia, CEOKasy Chambers, Anglicare Australia, Executive DirectorSofia Hadiak, Language Trainers, TutorKaren McKinnon, Relationships Australia, Behaviour Change PractitionerKylie Van Alphen, St John’s Youth Services, Service ManagerJantine EddelbuttelAndrew BartlettPaul TurnerAlison MerridewL SutcliffeTania WyattSusan BakerJoshuah YeendHelen Pokorny, WNSW LHD Patient Safety and Clinical Quality Ctee, Carer RepCharmaine PhilipseNicole Punte, Sacred Heart Misson, Relationship ManagerSirani McNeillHolly Czinke, Lived Experience Matters pty ltd, DirectorFiona PettifordNatasa Lazarevic, University of Wollongong, Associate LecturerElysia RaphaelSusan Helyar, Helyar & Co, ConsultantCal CastlesLee Geary, Bridge Housing, Executive Director, People, Culture and BrandMatt Johns, DSS, A/g Assistant Director – Metadata – Performance and EvaluationThea Butler, Welfare Rights Centre, Community Engagement ManagerShorna MooreDani Markovic, CIS Glen Eira, ManagerEmilie PridayTony LeabeaterErin SnelgroveNick LeslieRemi KimptonMeagan SkehillMorag WilliamsMarie CradockOlivia KilleenDebra Thorsen, Semaphore Music Festival, Event OrganiserJeanette Evans, Self, RetiredDorte PlanertKaren LangeJill Shirvington, Dominican Sisters, RetiredGabriel Mafi, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW, MemberRebecca ReynoldsDuncan Bainbridge, Anti Poverty Network, CoordinatorJulie Smith, ANU, Honorary Associate ProfessorAngela Scarfe, Australian Association of Social Workers, Senior Policy AdvisorCassandra Barford, N/A, Registered Nurse, community member.Emily Hamilton, Community Legal Centres Australia, Advocacy and Communications ManagerGrace ImpalaJean ShelleyCaroline Hunt, The Australian Clinical Psychology Association, PresidentHayley BrownJenny Macaffer, Adult learning Australia, CEOSusan TilleyHelen Byrne, Community Information and Support Victoria Inc, TrainerDeborah Cobb-Clark AO, University of Sydney, ProfessorGilroy HUCKSTEPPTerese Williams, Gateway Family Services, Acting CEOsophie Corbett, Gateway Family Services, Clinical LeadRoger Wilkins, The University of Melbourne, Professorial FellowGuyonne KalbKate Wheller, Community Information and Support Victoria, CEOBryanna Connell, Barwon Community Legal Service, Chief Executive OfficerNatalie Ross, Welfare Rights Centre, Principal SolicitorCarla Treloar, Centre for Social Research in Health, and Social Policy Research Centre, UNSW, ProfessorGeorgia Phin, Welfare Rights Centre, Administration OfficerThea Butler, Welfare Rights Centre, Community Engagement ManagerDonna Flood, Welfare Rights Centre, Senior SolicitorTammy WolffsKaren RinkeMary Tinney, Sisters of Mercy, MemberGaby RamiaJohn Falzon Sociologist and WriterBillie Sankovic, Western Sydney Community Forum, Chief Executive OfficerMorwenna Richardson, Anglicare WA ( Kalgoorlie), Financial CounsellorElizabeth McKayMatt Gardiner, Cancer Council Qld, CEOChrisanta Muli, Oxfam Australia, Acting Chief ExecutiveSamantha Levey, Carlton Fitzroy Financial Counselling Service, Financial CounsellorAnnie BarkerBarbara FinchJoanne FletcherLeo Patterson Ross, Tenants’ Union of NSW, CEODavid BarwickJackie WurmKate Fox, The South Australian Financial Counsellors Association, CEOJoanne Flavel, University of Adelaide, Senior Research FellowAndrew FineganPaula DaviesGabrielle LeagoSophia AzizCraig Manning, Retired, Research ScientistDeborah SharpDarani StockerPeter Hamill Retired educatorStephen LeagoKerrie-anne MckayHeather StonehouseLee MurrayGerard ThomasMichael Raper, Citizens for Justice, DirectorGregory OldenGregory OldenCliff FraserShellie KavanaghJalquin Waidelichdan endicottGeoffrey MitchellMichael Gliksman, Michael Gliksman, PhysicianJen GayPeta TerryJennifer CheesmanJane GloverNicholas AndersonPenelope HarveyAngela SmithCassandra BarfordKaren RinkeKaren RinkeSue EldridgeJudith CluleyKatelyn BamfordSawsan Madina, SBS, Former Head of TelevisionG BradburySarah AldredLisa McLachlanNicole CrossJules VovosMy TrinhHele MurtiJanelle DunnTony Pietropiccolo, Centrecare Inc., DirectorMichelle Preston, OZHarvest, Volunteer coordinatorJennifer NichollsGabrielle LeagoSarah Quinton, Valuing Children Initiative, Development ExecutiveJepke GoudsmitPatricia CoghlanRobert RamsdenMonica SkinnerEileen Baldry AOTracey LeupenRaewyn Darlington, Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand, Financial CounsellorOlivia BallDavid Stuart, Colormaker Industries, Managing DirectorDamon TurnbullGreg WindredBree Wyeth, Directions Health Services, psychiatristTanya WilliamsChristine AndersonStuart Cameron, Wesley Mission, CEONatacha TracyBrendan GleesonKim SalisburyLisa Byrnes, Rural Australians for Refugees Southern Highlands, ConvenorCaitlyn StockerJennifer JordanFiona CarberryIvan KotzurMark CullenMichael MartinKaren PerkinsDavid WardVictoria QuadeDavid AslatElizabeth O’BrienA R PolackJames ScurrahArmin LunsmannPeta NewboundClaire BettingtonHarriet DalyCathy FryMarea RobertsDon HuttonLysnette ThomasHarry KnowlesAnn LawrenceRyan Gallaty, Mountains Community Resource Network, Communications & AdministrationPatrick martinjulie foremanMargaret Wicks, Financial Counselling Hunter Valley Project, financial counsellorBrendan DavidJane GorrieJanneia WildeMargaret JackMichael Karadjis, Western Sydney University, LecturerWilliam SmithMichael WindsorDavid GillettKaren HoltKaren CookAdam Adam BrownBrian AhernGeorgina Ogilvie, Financial Counselling Australia, Financial CounsellorBrad AldredMarie Coleman AOPSMDUnivmichael clifford, Royal Children’s Hospital, doctorJenni Anderson, Mission Australia, National Programs ManagerPhil Cutts, Grampians disAbility Advocacy, Individual AdvocateBradley PoweMarissa KyriakopoulosDr Desire KozlowskiSari SmithDaniel Berg, ex-Lifeline, telephone supportToby Freeman, University Of Adelaide, ResearcherKendal Drew, Strategic CareercManagement, DirectorElly-may HamiltonCrina VirgonaBill JoyceMichael KallidisBeth CharlestonBea BleileRobert BruceJames Cruz, CPSU, DelegatePatricia RobertsGenevieve BarrrAndrew PriestPeter PerryJade Blakkarly, WIRE, CEOAlexander MacphersonMurray TorneyAlan Gray, Bush Money Mob, Managing DirectorSarah McFadden, Wesley Mission, Financial CounsellorBrad ByquarJana Favero, ASRC, Deputy CEOGiulio Bortolozzo, Education, EducatorElizabeth Brooks RetiredGeoffrey BuchananTaree Brearley, Private Occupational Therapist, Occupational TherapistEva Cox AOKaren van Woudenberg, Blue Mountains Family Support Services t/a Thrive Services, CEOphilip mendes, Monash University, ProfessorEmeline Gaske, Australian Services Union, National SecretaryElizabeth Gray, RJ and EA GrayEvan HadkinsJames Brus, Sydney music scene, MusicianCatherine WilsonJosh Fergeus, City of Monash, CouncillorDaniel Scoullar, Social Change Projects, DirectorMelissa-Anne ClarkeEmmet de BhaldraitheStephen MacreadyJoshua PageJohn G, AIVL, CEOErin Kelly, NA, NAPauline HaasAngela PerlidisChris Povey, Justice Connect, Chief Executive OfficerThomas Walker, Think Forward, CEOGeorge BennettJuanita McLarenWendy FieldMichelle MacarthyStephanie WilliamsN AgermanJoanne Flavel, University of Adelaide, Senior Research FellowJoanna Rostami, Australian Youth Affairs Coalition, CEONicky Sloan, Community Industry Group, CEOTherese PorterTherese PorterPhilippa GatelyMark Jeffery, Anti-Poverty Week, National DirectorMegan Lee, CPSA, General ManagerJenny Macaffer, Adult Learning Australia, CEOMilo KerslakeScott DouglasTim Woodruff, Doctors Reform Society, Vice presidentAnnette Hackett GPRosalie Schultz, Doctors for the Environment, MemberPeter SainsburyBen Bartlett GPGeorge BennettNaomi LewisJann DarkPhilip Mendes, Monash University, ProfessorDrew Wolfendale, Fusion Party (FUSION | Planet Rescue | Whistleblower Protection | Innovation), PresidentRebecca Glenn, Centre for Women’s Economic Safety, CEOAlex Jago, Pirate Party Australia, SecretarySheree Limbrick, Health Justice Australia, Chief Executive OfficerSue Bolton, Socialist Alliance, City of Merri-bek CouncillorPip DarganJamie Crosby, Families Australia, Chief executive OfficerJana Favero, Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Deputy CEOAlexandra King, Tasmanian Council for Social Service (TasCOSS), Policy OfficerClaerwen Little, UnitingCare Australia, National DirectorEmma Agostino, ACTCOSS, Senior Policy AdviserRos Baxter, Goodstart Early Learning, CEOTabatha Feher, Life without Barriers, Chief AdvisorJenny Sandilands, ACTCOSS, Head of PolicyJohn Gobeil, AIVL, CEOViolet Roumeliotis, SSI, CEODomenique Meyrick, Financial Counselling Australia, CEODeborah Tsorbaris, Centre for Excellence in child and family welfare, CEOKate Allen, Jesuit Social Services, General Manager, Policy & AdvocacyTerry Slevin, Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA), Chief Exevutive OfficerPaul Wright, Mission Australia, National Manager for Policy, Advocacy & Government RelationsLeslie Gerard Thomas, ActivistKate Allingham, Economic Justice Australia, CEOMish Mish Pony, Scarlet Alliance, Australian Sex Workers Association, CEOKaren Bevan, Full Stop Australia, CEOEdwina MacDonald, Australian Council of Social Service, Chief Strategy OfficerSam Street, CAP Australia, Church Partnerships ManagerKelly BoweyJohn Engeler, Shelter NSW, CEOJenn FitzGerald Sign the statement Add your name to the statement calling on the next government to raise the rate of income support. 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