The Federal Government’s indication to not adopt a committee recommendation to raise Jobseeker payments in next month’s budget, has been met with anger.  

An Adelaide-based poverty advocacy group says this is “abandoning the most vulnerable” during the cost of living crisis.  

The Federal Government created the Economic Inclusion Committee last year to review income support payments with the committee’s interim report finding jobseeker payments “seriously inadequate.” Despite recommendations from poverty-experts, The Government has  still indicated it won’t make changes to lift jobseeker to 90% of the aged pension, citing it would cost $24bn over four years.  

The Wire’s Emma Wotzke speaks with Brendan Folwell from the Anti-Poverty Network SA to find out more.  

Image: Image courtesy of Matt Hrkac: Flickr

Produced By: Emma Wotzke

Featured In Story: Brendan Folwell – spokesperson for Anti Poverty Network SA, and

First aired on The Wire, Thursday 20 April 2023