Joint COSS submission to the Senate on Social Determinants of ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Submission <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Senate</strong> Community Affairs Committee on Australia’s response <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> WHO ‘Closing <strong>the</strong> gap’ reportlong-term unemployed (over 12 months). Prolonged joblessness is socially corrosive,leading <strong>to</strong> severe health problems, family breakdown and <strong>the</strong> entrenchment of socialexclusion in <strong>the</strong> worst affected communities.In <strong>the</strong>ir Budget Priority Statement 2012, A<strong>COSS</strong> calls for a substantial investment by<strong>the</strong> Government in a paid work experience program for long term unemployed people <strong>to</strong>give <strong>the</strong>m experience and training in regular employment and <strong>the</strong>reby improve <strong>the</strong>irfuture job prospects.Recommendation:Improve employment assistance and establishes paid work experience for long termunemployed people as recommended in <strong>the</strong> A<strong>COSS</strong> BPS 2012.Establish an independent public inquiry <strong>to</strong> review current employment participationpolicies for people receiving income support payments and recommend future directionsfor reformIncome support paymentsThe <strong>COSS</strong>es have serious concerns about <strong>the</strong> inadequacy and inequity ofunemployment and income support payments. We believe that it is everyone's right <strong>to</strong>have access <strong>to</strong> paid work, and when looking for paid work, <strong>to</strong> have income support <strong>to</strong>live with dignity. Yet our social security system is failing <strong>to</strong> provide people with this basicguarantee, plunging people in<strong>to</strong> poverty.Payments for Newstart Allowance and unemployed young people living independentlyof <strong>the</strong>ir parents are inadequate. The allowances are not enough <strong>to</strong> meet <strong>the</strong> most basicessential costs such as housing, food, and clothing. Consequently, unemployed peopleon <strong>the</strong> Newstart Allowance experience deeper financial hardship, with 40% unable <strong>to</strong>afford <strong>to</strong> pay a utility bill on time compared with 12% of all households. 7There is also significant inequity in <strong>the</strong> levels of allowance payments and pensions forpeople with similar living costs. The ‘poverty gap' between pensions and Newstart is$140 per week. 8 This gap is primarily <strong>the</strong> result of different indexation arrangements forpensions and allowances.We refer <strong>the</strong> <strong>Senate</strong> Committee <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> A<strong>COSS</strong> 2012 Submission on <strong>the</strong> adequacy of‘allowance’ payments 9 that provides detailed evidence and recommendations <strong>to</strong>improve income support and Australia’s social security system.Recommendation:7 A<strong>COSS</strong> (2012) Submission <strong>to</strong> <strong>Senate</strong> Employment Committee on <strong>the</strong> adequacy of ‘allowance’ payments, A<strong>COSS</strong>,August 2012, Sydney.8 http://www.acoss.org.au/media/release/mind_<strong>the</strong>_gap_people_on_newstart_falling_fur<strong>the</strong>r_behind9 http://acoss.org.au/images/uploads/Allowance_adequacy_<strong>submission</strong>_FINAL_120817.docxCouncil of Social Service of NSW (N<strong>COSS</strong>) Page 12 of 31
Submission <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Senate</strong> Community Affairs Committee on Australia’s response <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> WHO ‘Closing <strong>the</strong> gap’ reportIncrease allowance payments for single people by $50 per week as recommended by<strong>the</strong> Henry Review.Reform indexation of allowances, so that all payments reflect <strong>the</strong> real community cost ofliving based on typical fulltime wage levels (before tax) and <strong>the</strong> Consumer Price IndexUndertake structural reform of <strong>the</strong> system of income support payments for people ofworking age and replace <strong>the</strong> present three tier system of payments for people ofworking age with a common ‘core’ rate of payment <strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r with supplements foradditional living costsEnvironment and climate changeClimate change disproportionately impacts on people on lower incomes and peopleexperiencing disadvantage because of geography, poorer infrastructure and lowercapacity <strong>to</strong> adapt and adjustments <strong>the</strong>ir living circumstances.For instance, increases in power and water costs have a greater impact on low incomeearners as on average <strong>the</strong>y spend a greater proportion of <strong>the</strong>ir <strong>to</strong>tal weekly householdbudget on utilities than wealthier households. Fewer low income households are able <strong>to</strong>afford significant energy efficiency measures such as insulation, new hot water systemsor rainwater tanks.The WHO has noted that climate change is a health equity issue (ResolutionWHA61.19). Due <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir higher risk and vulnerability and lower responsive capacity,<strong>the</strong>se groups will need a greater level of support as part of Australia's response <strong>to</strong>climate change.The <strong>COSS</strong>es support improving energy efficiency and pricing carbon through anemissions trading scheme <strong>to</strong> protect low income Australians from <strong>the</strong> long-term costs ofclimate change. We note <strong>the</strong> policy platform of <strong>the</strong> Sou<strong>the</strong>rn Cross Climate Coalition 10<strong>to</strong> drive a fair and inclusive transition <strong>to</strong> a low pollution economy by reducing oureconomy's dependence on pollution; fair and inclusive action on climate change;unlocking new clean energy jobs and industries; and streng<strong>the</strong>ning global action.Recommendation:Streng<strong>the</strong>n fair and equitable action <strong>to</strong> reduce carbon pollution and transition <strong>to</strong> acleaner economy.Food securityAll Australians should have access <strong>to</strong> healthy, affordable and acceptable food. Foodstress, <strong>the</strong> situation where households need <strong>to</strong> spend a disproportionate amount of <strong>the</strong>irhousehold income <strong>to</strong> eat healthy and nutritious food, is both a financial and health issuefor low-income households. Poor dietary intake increases <strong>the</strong> risk of developing chronicdiseases, including heart disease and diabetes.10 Sou<strong>the</strong>rn Cross Climate Coalition (2011) A Policy Platform for a Low Pollution Economy, April 2011.Council of Social Service of NSW (N<strong>COSS</strong>) Page 13 of 31
Page 1 and 2: Councils of Social Service (<strong
Page 3 and 4: Submission to <str
Page 11: Submission to <str
Page 31: Submission to <str

Joint COSS submission to the Senate on Social Determinants of ...

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?