Tuesday, June 05, 2018

ACOSS – More than two-thirds of people back an increase to Newstart: Essential Poll

Tuesday June 5, 2018

More than two-thirds of people back an increase to Newstart: Essential Poll
Polling released today shows that 68% of people back an increase to Newstart, which has not been increased in real terms in 24 years.

ACOSS CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie calls on the Government to listen to what the community is telling us and raise the rate of Newstart, Youth Allowance and related payments so that everyone’s basic needs are met, and we can all live with dignity and respect.

  • “The vast majority of people in Australia support raising the rate of Newstart, Youth Allowance and related payments. More than two thirds of us agree that a fair government would raise the rate of Newstart, Youth Allowance and related payments to ensure everybody has enough to live on while they look for paid work.
  • “The poll confirms that almost everyone agrees no one in Australia should go without basic essentials like food, healthcare, transport and power.
  • “However, every day people on Newstart and Youth Allowance choose between eating dinner and turning on the heater; taking the bus to a job interview and buying medication.
  • “The Australian Government can and should ensure that we can all live with dignity. It must do all it can to ensure that we can all put food on the table, including when we’re looking for paid work, studying, caring for children or suffering an illness.
  • “This poll today says that the vast majority of us expect a minimum standard of support for people who need a hand up. 
  • “We call on the Australian Government, the Opposition and the cross bench to listen to the community and support an immediate increase to Newstart, Youth Allowance and related payments to give more than one million people dignity and justice.
  • “The Parliament must increase these payments by a minimum of $75 per week to help people locked out of paid work put food on the table and a roof over their head.”


Contact:  Australian Council of Social Service, 0419 626 155

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