More than half a million Australians had their welfare payments suspended over a 12-month period for failing to meet job-seeking requirements, according to government data. The Department of Employment reported that around 580,000 unemployed people in the Jobactive program had at least one payment suspended, with total suspensions reaching two million.
Out of 744,884 welfare recipients, 500,000 faced suspensions for reasons including not looking for work, missing job interviews, or behaving inappropriately at meetings. Some individuals had multiple suspensions; one person had payments cut 52 times. Over 100,000 recipients accumulated five demerit points, leading to penalties or removal from the program.
Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business Michaelia Cash said, 'The welfare system should not be thrown in the face of the Australian taxpayers who fund it by those who abuse it.' She emphasised the government's focus on getting people off welfare and into work.
The revelations come amid political debate over increasing the Newstart allowance for unemployed people. The Greens and Labor have jointly pushed for a Senate inquiry into the payment rate, which has not seen a real-term increase since 1994. The inquiry will examine the economic impact of raising the rate and how it would affect the budget.
Greens Senator Rachel Siewert, a long-time advocate for higher welfare payments, said, 'This week we've had people from all sides of politics come out in support of an increase to Newstart.' Labor Senator Raff Ciccone also called for an immediate rise and a new system for regular assessments. Currently, single Australians without children can claim a maximum of $555.70 a fortnight from Newstart.
