In a resounding call for action, a coalition of 99 influential Australian women spanning business, politics, community services, and Indigenous affairs sectors have penned a compelling letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Their demand? A significant enhancement in social security payments, particularly Jobseeker and Youth Allowance, as a vital component of the forthcoming federal budget.
The urgency of their plea is palpable, echoing the growing chorus of voices advocating for substantial reforms in response to Australia’s lackluster social security system. As the nation grapples with pressing issues like gender-based violence and economic inequality, the need for tangible governmental intervention has never been more apparent.
In its 2024 report, the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee, appointed by the government, prioritized increasing the rates as its main recommendation. Jenny Macklin, the committee’s chair and former Labor MP, emphasized in the recent letter, “It’s crucial for women fleeing violence to have confidence in a robust social security safety net.
Among the signatories are Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz, President of Chief Executive Women; Cathy McGowan, former MP for Indi; June Oscar, Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice; and Correna Haythorpe, President of the Education Union.
Approximately 500,000 women are recipients of the Jobseeker payment, currently set at $55 per day, and the Youth Allowance, currently set at $45 per day. The group emphasized the urgency, stating, “Addressing the adequacy of Jobseeker and Youth Allowance to ensure basic economic security for women cannot be delayed.”
In the previous year, the government extended the single parenting payment, guaranteeing support until the youngest child reached the age of 14, a significant increase from the previous cutoff age of eight.
While acknowledging this change as “highly appreciated,” the group highlighted in their letter that a considerable number of women, spanning various age groups, still rely on Jobseeker and other payments tailored for working-age individuals, which are insufficient to meet their fundamental expenses.
