New research by the University of New South Wales highlights the need to increase welfare payments by almost $100 a week to ensure recipients can make ends meet.
The research is reportedly the first time calculations have been made to see if welfare payments are adequate enough to meet people’s basic needs.
He research pushes the need to increase payments by $96 per week for a single unemployed person.
Professor Peter Saunders from the University of New South Wales’ Social Policy Research Centre calls for a mechanism for future reviews of welfare payments like what is done for minimum wages.
Social services minister Christian Porter has been reported by The Australian saying an increase in welfare does not help move a single person from welfare to work.
CEO Australian Council of Social Service Cassandra Goldie says it’s a human right to have basic needs.
