VCOSS says welfare package 'regressive'
The Victorian Council of Social Services is warning the Federal Government's new 'Welfare to Work' package is regressive and begins the process of dismantling Australia's welfare safety net.
The package, to be implemented from July 2006 costing an estimated $3,487 million over four years, has some positive aspects but will have an overwhelming negative impact, the VCOSS study shows.
Some of these impacts include:
- The diversion of new welfare recipients to lower income allowances such as Newstart;
- The extension of mutual obligation activities;
- A harsher compliance system based on suspension of payment;
- Tougher conditions for disability support pensioners and sole parents.
VCOSS warns these changes will undermine family and social stability and have the potential to entrench a new underclass into Australian society.
http://www.vcoss.org.au/
vcoss@vcoss.org.au
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