Opinion Child poverty: A problem Labor can and must solve
A theme keeps re-appearing in commentary around the Albanese government. On this topic or that, we read sentences along the lines of, “This is a good first step. But across a range of areas, the jury’s still out.” I’ve done the same myself.
Recently, Toni Wren, who advised Labor minister Peter Baldwin in the 1990s, was asked by a group of academics what kept her up at night. Her answer was simple: “The fact that Labor isn’t talking about child poverty.” You might think these are the children who have somehow slipped through the system, missing out on support they are entitled to. In fact, many of these kids are already receiving the maximum amount of support. Our government knows about them, helps their parents a bit, but has decided not to help them enough to keep them out of poverty.During the pandemic, many of these families suddenly received an extra $250 a week.
Ministers do get asked about JobSeeker from time to time. So far, the signs are not great. The Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth, gets asked most often, and tends to refer to budgetary pressures, as well as what the government is already doing . The Treasurer, Jim Chalmers, emphasises budget constraints.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
In pictures: The first sitting week of federal parliament under new Labor governmentParliament is full of energy again as politicians return for the first sitting week, marked with ceremony, celebrations and signs of what may be to come.
Read more »
Labor identifies key seats needed to win a third timeLabor will throw the bulk of its resources into key outer suburban and regional seats at the upcoming state election, as it launches a three-pronged strategy to ward off the Greens, Liberals and independents and secure a third term. | sumeyyailanbey
Read more »
Labor announces candidate for Fannie Bay by-electionNT Labor has selected former political staffer and army veteran Brent Potter to contest the by-election, which was triggered by the resignation of former chief minister and local member Michael Gunner.
Read more »
Gas crisis updates LIVE: Labor threatens to pull gas trigger to tackle energy crisisWATCH LIVE: Resources Minister Madeleine King says the ACCC report into the gas export market is “damning” and has threatened to trigger gas export controls for the east coast. Follow updates here.
Read more »
Federal parliament updates LIVE: Labor MPs introduce assisted dying billFederal parliament sits; Labor wants Indigenous Voice vote first, finer details later PM on post-election approval rating high; NSW minister removed, another under pressure. Follow updates here.
Read more »
Mark McGowan's surprise pay deal is unlikely to solve WA's public sector problemAfter months of wrangling over the WA government's wages offer, yesterday brought somewhat of a breakthrough — but even if unions do accept the deal, it's unlikely to be the last we hear from them, writes Keane Bourke.
Read more »