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  • May, 2020

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    Raising Newstart

    Q. The government has doubled the Newstart allowance to support people out of work for the next six months. When that time expires, which of the following would you prefer to see happen the Newstart allowance?

        Gender Age Group Location
      Total Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Capital Non-Capital
    Maintain the current rate ($560 per week) 24% 24% 24% 32% 27% 15% 26% 21%
    Increase the former rate to equal the single pension amount ($472 per week) 33% 35% 31% 28% 31% 40% 31% 37%
    Return to the former rate ($285 per week) 28% 27% 29% 23% 27% 33% 28% 28%
    Unsure 15% 13% 16% 17% 15% 12% 15% 14%
    Base (n) 1,093 539 554 341 372 380 734 359

     

        Federal Voting Intention
    Total Labor Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
    Maintain the current rate ($560 per week) 24% 28% 20% 34% 18%
    Increase the former rate to equal the single pension amount ($472 per week) 33% 38% 31% 38% 36%
    Return to the former rate ($285 per week) 28% 22% 38% 16% 30%
    Unsure 15% 12% 11% 12% 15%
    Base (n) 1,093 325 435 108 114

     

  • Mar, 2020

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    Support for non-permanent residents accessing Australian government support

    Q. You may be aware that non-permanent residents in Australia (such as skilled migrants, New Zealand citizens, people on temporary visas and refugees) are not currently eligible for most government benefits, such as Jobseeker Allowance. Non-permanent residents can’t return to their home countries as Australia has closed its international borders.

    To what extent do you support or oppose, non-permanent residents being able to access Australian government support if they lose their jobs as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak?

        Gender Age Group Location
    Total Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Capital Non-Capital
    Strongly support 25% 26% 24% 29% 27% 20% 27% 22%
    Somewhat support 29% 29% 29% 29% 27% 31% 30% 26%
    Neither support, nor oppose 24% 22% 25% 22% 23% 26% 21% 28%
    Somewhat oppose 12% 12% 12% 12% 10% 13% 12% 12%
    Strongly oppose 10% 11% 10% 8% 13% 10% 10% 11%
    NET: Support 54% 55% 53% 58% 54% 51% 57% 48%
    NET: Oppose 22% 23% 22% 20% 23% 23% 22% 24%
    Base (n) 1,086 539 547 341 362 383 727 359
    • 54% of participants support non-permanent residents accessing Australian government support if they lose their jobs as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak.
    • Capital residents are more likely to support this measure than non-capital residents (57% compared to 48%).
  • Aug, 2012

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    Would You Ask Your Grandmother To Live On $35 A Day?

    Ponder this question: would you ask your grandmother to live on $35 a day? And would you think you could live on $35 a day? The obvious answer is no. But, believe it or not, that’s what the country is asking from seniors living on the Newstart program.

    COTA, the national organisation representing the rights, needs and interests of older Australians, has an alarming alert out that should make us all sit up and take notice. In COTA’s submission to the Senate, Chief Executive, Ian Yates, warns more older Australians will be sinking into poverty:

    The Newstart payments of just $35 a day is the same as 20 years ago. In 2012, this is not enough to survive. Most people over 50 who are on an income support payment are on Newstart, and they make up more than 25% of all people on Newstart. The chance of staying on Newstart allowance for longer periods also increases with age, with 28% of the long-term unemployed aged over 55.  As such, the low allowance unfairly discriminates against older Australians who find themselves unemployed later in life – often due to age discrimination.

    It is often said that the measure of a decent society is how it treats and cares for its children and its elderly. The test is before us.

    —
    @jonathantasini

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