Premier Peter Gutwein must pick up the phone today and demand his federal colleagues do not go ahead with the irresponsible and misguided plan to slash Jobseeker payments.
Shadow Treasurer David O’Byrne said the Prime Minister’s announcement that the fortnightly supplement will be reduced to $150 will see payments dive to just $715 a fortnight.
“The increased support payments through the Covid-19 pandemic have allowed people to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads,” Mr O’Byrne said.
“The payments have allowed money to continue being spent in the community and at small businesses and have been critical to the Tasmanian economy as well as the national economy.
“Cutting Jobseeker drives already disadvantaged Tasmanians toward the poverty line. This move unnecessarily pushes vulnerable Tasmanians into desperate situations.
“It will have a detrimental effect on those businesses already struggling to survive.
“We need people spending in their communities. We need people to be supporting jobs.
“We need a Federal Government that is willing to not only support Tasmanians already struggling on low incomes but to support our local business community.
“This is the last thing we need now as Covid-19 continues and the Premier of Tasmanian should be talking to Canberra, demanding that it does not happen.”
David O’Byrne MP
Shadow Treasurer
