Australian Greens: Budget provides $9000 a year for the wealthy and does nothing to raise the rate of income …

Australian Greens Social Services spokesperson Senator Janet Rice has condemned Labor’s decision to give tax cuts to the wealthy while one third of Australian households are struggling to put food on the table. 

Senator Rice said: 

“Poverty is a political choice and Labor has chosen to give tax cuts to the wealthy instead of raising the rate of income support payments above the poverty line.

“While one third of Australian households are struggling to put food on the table and the cost of living continues to escalate, Labor is providing $9000 a year for the wealthy and doing nothing to raise the rate of income support.

“Last week at the first hearing of the Senate inquiry into the extent and nature of poverty, multiple community organisations and advocacy groups called for a permanent raise in the rate of income support.  

“The Labor Government has ignored these calls and in doing so has left millions of Australians having to choose between paying the rent, essential medicines or eating three meals a day.

“The Greens are calling on Labor to introduce a guaranteed liveable income which would see all income support payment rates raised above the poverty line to at least $88 a day, mutual obligations abolished and the removal of unfair restrictions on who can access payments, to ensure everyone has enough to cover their basic needs.”