1. JobSeeker is only $49 a day. 2. Huge numbers of people on JobSeeker are skipping meals. 3. Huge numbers of people on JobSeeker are skipping medicines. 4. Half of people JobSeeker have less than $7 a day, after paying their rent. 5. It is $39 a day less than the Henderson poverty-line. 6. It … Continue reading 20 Reasons To Raise JobSeeker
Hitting Labor MPs Nonstop
Our members have been speaking to Labor MPs and their staff, nonstop, over the last few days, about JobSeeker. This included speaking to staff from Mark Butler MP's office on Friday, and speaking to Matt Burnell MP, at a streetcorner meeting in Salisbury on Saturday. We will be speaking to Labor MPs and their staff, … Continue reading Hitting Labor MPs Nonstop
3 Years Ago, Something Remarkable Happened
3 years ago, something remarkable happened. The government introduced the $550-a-fortnight COVID Supplement. Overnight, JobSeeker and other payments almost doubled. Millions of people were suddenly living above the poverty-line. In some cases, for the first time in years. In the weeks afterwards, I heard from hundreds of people from across the country about what that … Continue reading 3 Years Ago, Something Remarkable Happened
The Minister Finally Meets With Us
These 3 legends, representing Australian Unemployed Workers' Union and Anti-Poverty Network SA, met with Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth, yesterday, in Morphett Vale, SA.It came at the end of a grim week: a week where, according news reports, Labor will not be raising JobSeeker in the May 2022 Federal Budget.It took almost 1 year to organise this meeting.But … Continue reading The Minister Finally Meets With Us
Jane’s Speech To Parliamentary Forum On Renting
The following speech was given by Jane* to a Parliamentary Forum on Renting in Adelaide, on October 15, 2022."I have been on Centrelink benefits for eight years after losing my full-time job, experiencing a bad fall and then an assault that meant two years in hospital appointments unable to use my left arm or leg.My … Continue reading Jane’s Speech To Parliamentary Forum On Renting
What Is The Point Of “Mutual Obligation”?
"Mutual Obligations, what do they actually achieve? If the measure of success is getting a job, they haven't helped me achieve this. I need my Income Support payment, so do whatever is required, otherwise I'll be unable to pay my bills.Mutual implies input from both parties. My DES Provider is supposed to help me find … Continue reading What Is The Point Of “Mutual Obligation”?
My Uncensored Experience Of The DES System
"So, here is my uncensored experience of the DES (Disability Employment Services) system. I am in this stream, because I have chronic, incurable pain in my hip, due to having developed Perthes disease as a child. Perthes disease is rare, and the average person in the street has never heard of it. Neither has Centrelink, … Continue reading My Uncensored Experience Of The DES System
Every Week Should Be Anti-Poverty Week
It’s the start of Anti-Poverty Week. (Though for many of us, every week’s Anti-Poverty Week.) At the risk of sounding like a broken record (a risk I’m willing to take), here’s my periodic reminder that: 1. There’s nothing inevitable or permanent about the existence of poverty. 2. It’s a deliberate choice by governments to let … Continue reading Every Week Should Be Anti-Poverty Week
Release Of ‘Broke, Cold, Stressed’ Renters Report (September 27, 2022)
Today, Anti-Poverty Network SA released ‘Broke, Cold, Stressed’, our report outlining the results of our survey of 288 low-income renters, which took place over the winter of 2022. The results are yet another reminder that our rental market is causing enormous harm to people's lives, especially the lives of people in poverty. High rents. Big … Continue reading Release Of ‘Broke, Cold, Stressed’ Renters Report (September 27, 2022)
“Mutual Obligation”: Useless At Best, Harmful At Worst
In news that will surprise almost none of you, virtually all job-seekers regard the hoops they have to jump through and keep jumping through, to receive their $49-a-day pittance, as bloody useless, when it comes to finding work, according to new research by Anglicare Australia that was released today. Only 11% 'agreed' or 'strongly agreed' … Continue reading “Mutual Obligation”: Useless At Best, Harmful At Worst
Anti-Poverty Network SA 