Cash boost for welfare recipients slammed as spin

Anthony Albanese has been roasted for trying to take credit for something which occurs automatically every six months.

Anthony Albanese has been slammed for taking credit for a welfare payment increase, despite it automatically occurring every six months.

More than 4.7 million Australians will have their allowances and pensions boosted in what the government has celebrated as the largest increase to payments in 30 years and 12 years respectively.

Ministers were quick to talk up the “significant” increase on Monday morning, with the Prime Minister himself sharing the “big” news.

“I'm very pleased that the announcements that we’ve made today about the rise in the pension and in payments, including the JobSeeker payment, will take some of the pressure off,” he told ABC radio.

But critics swiftly pointed out the increases had nothing to do with the government at all.

When an indexation increase of less than two dollars a day is the biggest increase in 30 years, something is really wrong

— Emma (@emma__jayne14) September 5, 2022

Morrison level gaslighting . Inflation is at record high levels so of course the AUTOMATIC indexation to the CPI is going to be high. It's still not even $2 a day. You are still refusing to do a real raise to payments through parliament as is required to actually raise payments. https://t.co/zAOGgMN2UU

— davidk (@DavidDmk88) September 5, 2022

“Well, this is the standard indexation of pensions and allowances. And of course that standard indexation that is in law and has long been in law should be happening,” Coalition frontbencher Simon Birmingham said.

The Australian Unemployed Workers Union labelled the government’s announcement as “misinformation”.

“Labor MPs are claiming that today‘s automatic half-yearly indexation of payments occurred as a result of a decision they made. It did not,” it said.

An organiser from that union, Jeremy Poxon went one step further, accusing the government of “doing the same sh*t the Coalition did”.

Critics were quick to hit out at Mr Albanese on Monday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“Pretending the automatic indexation increases are doing something for those dying in poverty. Go f**k yourself,” he wrote on Twitter.

The payment increase is part of a six monthly reclaribation to keep up with changes to the consumer price index.

When inflation rises significantly, as it has in the last six months, so will the amount added to some government payments.

It means from September 20, aged pensioners, disability support pensioners and people on a carer payment can expect a boost in their payment of $38.90 a fortnight for singles and $58.80 a fortnight for couples.

The cost of living crisis has left many wondering how they’ll pay for everyday items.

Allowances, including JobSeeker, parenting payments, ABSTUDY and rent assistance will also be increased.

The Greens, who are pushing for the government to lift the JobSeeker allowance from its current $46 per day rate to $88, said the indexation will amount to less than $2 a day.

“Today’s indexation is a less than $2 a day increase for someone on JobSeeker; this doesn't even get payments close to the poverty line, let alone make them enough to live on,” Senator Janet Rice said.

“Poverty is a political choice, and this government is choosing to leave people without heating or food as they struggle to pay the rent.”

It comes as the government once again ruled out entertaining a fuel excise cut despite concerns petrol prices could soar when it ends on September 29.

Millions will receive a lift in their cost of living payments.

Mr Albanese said it was a “difficult decision” but the budget did not allow for the $3bn cost of living measure to be extended.

“That was something that was a bipartisan decision before the election; we have to make decisions based upon what we can afford,” Mr Albanese said.

Speaking with Sky News, Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie claimed the Prime Minister’s argument didn’t pass the pub test – given his support for the stage three tax cuts.

“You might want to get your priorities right. But, right now, those people that are sitting on or below the poverty line are really feeling the heat,” Senator Lambie added.

Originally published as Cash boost for welfare recipients slammed as spin