On 16 March 2020, the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) has written to the Prime Minister with recommendations on the COVID19 response to support people who are most vulnerable.

The recommendations include:

  • Provide an additional $750 payments for families whose primary income is social security;
  • Increase Newstart, Youth Allowance and related payments by at least $95pw on a permanent basis;
  • Remove waiting periods for Newstart and other payments people will likely need during this crisis, especially those who are ill;
  • Cancel all Robodebts;
  • Extend all business related stimulus measures to community sector and not for profit organisations.

Read ACOSS’ letter to the Prime Minister here.

 

On the blog

JobKeeper Could Be a Depression Beater, by Chris Edmond, Steven Hamilton and Bruce Preston.

Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Extend Coronavirus Support to Temporary Workers, by Peter Whiteford.

The Government’s Fiscal Tool Kit for COVID-19, by Miranda Stewart and Peter Whiteford.

The Australian Government Opens a Coronavirus Super Loophole: It’s Legal to Put Your Money In, Take It Out, and Save on Tax, by Robert Breunig and Tristram Sainsbury.

Coronavirus Supplement: Your Guide to the Australian Payments That Will Go to the Extra Million on Welfare, by Peter Whiteford and Bruce Bradbury.

When It Comes to Sick Leave, We’re Not Much Better Prepared for Coronavirus Than the US, by Peter Whiteford and Bruce Bradbury.

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