Independents, Greens and other crossbench candidates are pushing the next government to substantially increase income support to tackle the cost-of-living crisis and lift people out of poverty.
With a minority government possible after this election, crossbenchers have signed a joint statement with ACOSS and representatives from the community sector declaring that raising the rate is "the most important thing the next government could do to address the cost-of-living crisis".
The statement said the current rates of JobSeeker at just $56 a day and Youth Allowance at $48 a day force people to go without food, healthcare and a safe place to call home.
The statement has been signed by 74 independent and minor party candidates including Zali Steggall, Dr Sophie Scamps, Zoe Daniel, Helen Haines, Andrew Wilkie, Dr Monique Ryan, David Pocock, Jacqui Lambie, Allegra Spender, Kylea Tink, Kate Chaney, Lidia Thorpe, Fatima Payman, and Greens representatives and candidates.
Prominent economists Chris Richardson, Nicki Hutley, Jeff Borland, Nicholas Gruen and prominent community leaders, including ACOSS CEO Cassandra Goldie, Mental Health Australia CEO Carolyn Nikoloski and Chief Executive Women CEO Lisa Annese, have also signed.
Zali Steggall MP said: "With an election on the horizon, we're seeing the major parties announce big spending to win over marginal seats—but who is standing up for the most vulnerable? I call on all sides of politics to raise income support payments so that those hardest hit by the cost-of-living crisis can afford the basics: rent, food and healthcare - and are not left in poverty."
Andrew Wilkie MP said: "It's long past time both major parties acknowledge the mountains of evidence, report after report, and the lived experience of anyone struggling to get by on an income support payment. The next federal government must raise the rate. To do anything else in the face of all this evidence is just a deliberate act of cruelty."
Monique Ryan MP said: "Children shouldn't be going to bed hungry in Australia. Increasing support for the vulnerable is an investment in our future: it will help people rejoin the workforce, help students complete their studies, and help single parents raise the next generation of Australians. We need to raise vulnerable Australians out of poverty by giving them the helping hand they need."
Senator Penny Allman-Payne, Greens Senator for QLD said: "The Greens have long fought for all income support to be above the poverty line. With the highest estimated level of poverty in Australia since 2001, the next government must take this crisis seriously. Everyone on income support should receive a guaranteed liveable income above the poverty line and that's what the Greens are committed to fighting for."
Senator David Pocock, Independent Senator for ACT said: "Australians are proud to live in a country that has a safety net, and they want to ensure it enables people to live above the poverty line. So getting the Albanese Government to legislate an independent committee to provide expert advice on the adequacy of support payments is something I am proud of from this term of parliament.
"If returned, next term I will keep pushing the government to implement the Committee's advice in full and raise the rate of safety net payments above the poverty line and increase the rate of Commonwealth Rent Assistance as the most powerful thing we can do to end chronic intergenerational disadvantage in our community.
Senator Fatima Payman, Australia's Voice Senator for WA said: "The deliberate policy of depriving our most vulnerable is an embarrassment to all Australians. The next government must make this issue a priority. Australia's Voice will push whoever wins the next election to raise the rate".
Independent candidate for Cowper Caz Heise said: "In a wealthy country like Australia, no one should be going without food, housing, or medical care. That's why I support the Raise the Rate campaign, to ensure everyone can cover the basics and that people are no longer being forced into poverty. In Cowper, over 10% of people would benefit directly from this change. "This is one of the most tangible things we can do as a country to look after our most vulnerable and ensure people's basic needs are met. If elected, I will do everything in my power to secure this much-needed reform"
ACOSS CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie said: "The message to the next government is loud and clear. It's time to finally raise the rate. Australia is in the midst of a cost of living crisis, yet our income support system continues to trap people in poverty.
"It's a disgrace that in one of the world's wealthiest countries, our Government continues to ignore the expert advice about the most important action needed to tackle poverty, raising the rate of income supports. People are being forced to skip meals, go without critical medication or sleep in their cars because they receive just $56 a day.
"People cannot look for paid work, stay healthy or care for their families if they can't afford the basics. The next government must act fast and lift these deeply inadequate social security payments as its first order of business in the next Federal Parliament."
