– Centrelink has kept me on hold for nearly 10 weeks

  • 📰 brisbanetimes
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 57 sec. here
  • 2 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 26%
  • Publisher: 67%

Australia Headlines News

Australia Latest News,Australia Headlines

I’ve been a taxpayer for most of my life. It’s embarrassing and depressing the way Australia treats people who are looking for work.

We shouldn’t give unemployed people more money. The answer is to get them into jobs. That’s the message politicians routinely trot out when it’s suggested we should give the unemployed a leg up. But there aren’t enough jobs and they know it.

In this pursuit, the RBA is simply doing what governments ask of central banks the world over. But if unemployment is necessary for Australia’s economy, why does our government treat unemployed people so badly? Seventy-six thousand more Australians were unemployed this January compared to the same time last year. This follows redundancies at the likes of KPMG, Australia Post, Star Entertainment, Telstra, and the big banks. Job cuts have also bitten in the tech, mining, and retail sectors. Last week PwC made 329 staff redundant. We will see the wider impact of such cuts when the latest unemployment figures are released on Thursday.

When JobSeeker was temporarily doubled during COVID-19, the unemployed briefly experienced the luxury of living slightly above the poverty line. Yet even at this level payments fell well short of the minimum wage and remained less than half the median income. There was still plenty of incentive to get a job.

Inadequate unemployment benefits thrust people into financial stress and can lead to homelessness, food insecurity, debt, and mental health problems.

 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 13. in AU

Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

– Centrelink has kept me on hold for nearly 10 weeksI’ve been a taxpayer for most of my life. It’s embarrassing and depressing the way Australia treats people who are looking for work.
Source: smh - 🏆 6. / 80 Read more »

Centrelink benefits including age pension, disability support and carer payments to increase from Wednesday7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Source: 7NewsMelbourne - 🏆 18. / 59 Read more »

Centrelink boost for millions as pension, jobseeker, and parenting payment allowances rise7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Source: 7NewsMelbourne - 🏆 18. / 59 Read more »

Brain tumour patient had Centrelink payments suspended while in hospital recovering from surgeryAustralian Council of Social Service says ‘unconscionable’ case shows why mutual obligations system must be ‘replaced with a fair system’ for jobseekers
Source: GuardianAus - 🏆 1. / 98 Read more »

Centrelink age pension, disability support and carer payment to increase as welfare recipients get boost7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Source: 7NewsAustralia - 🏆 11. / 71 Read more »

Singapore Backs Australia Over AUKUS Submarines, Undercutting Keating's ClaimSingapore supports Australia's decision on AUKUS submarines, contradicting former prime minister Keating's claim. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong advises China to drop trade sanctions against Australia and highlights Australia's role in regional security and stability. Keating calls for the sacking of Australia's spy chiefs for undermining ties with Beijing.
Source: FinancialReview - 🏆 2. / 90 Read more »