Why JobSeeker should be raised for all

The body representing the most financially disadvantaged Australians wants unemployment payments increased for everyone – not just those over the age of 55.

It’s been reported that the federal government plans to increase the JobSeeker payment of $50 per day for long-term unemployed people aged over 55 in next Tuesday’s budget.

ACOSS CEO Cassandra Goldie said such a move would leave “around four in five people struggling to survive on the woefully inadequate JobSeeker and related payments would be left behind.”

“We estimate that at least two thirds of people who are long-term unemployed would not benefit from last night’s speculation about an increase only being proposed for those over 55,” Dr Goldie said.

She’s standing firm on ACOSS’ call for all social payments to be raised to $76 per day.

“Until JobSeeker, Youth Allowance and related payments are substantially increased for all, we will continue to see people going without food and essential medication as well as being unable to afford to keep a roof over their head,” Dr Goldie said.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers on Tuesday cautioned against the speculation, saying there’s a “broad swath of things we need to do” in terms of JobSeeker.

“It’s really important we get the JobSeeker payment right … but we shouldn’t see the task ahead as one that is exclusively about the adequacy of the payments,” Dr Chalmers said.

“You’ll see on budget night what we intend to do about this.

“We will be very conscious of the pressure of younger Australians in the budget … the reason I’ve cautioned against assuming is because we should look at what the government announces next Tuesday night in its entirety.

“There are pressures coming from a range of sources on Australians, young and old.”