Welfare Reform

Title | Most recent | [Oldest] | Hits

Mission Australia submission to the McClure Review

Screenshot of Mission Australia submission to the McClure Review document

Mission Australia responds to the McClure Review by calling on welfare reform to deliver adequate payments and evidence based policy solutions.

Mission Australia senate submission on child care bill - January 2016

Screenshot of Mission Australia senate submission on child care bill document

Mission Australia welcomes the additional investment in quality Early Childhood Education and Care to support workforce participation, however we are concerned that some vulnerable families and children may be worse off.

Submission on Omnibus Savings and Child Care Reform Bill

Thumbnail of Submission on Omnibus Savings and Child Care Reform Bill

Our submission opposes proposed legislative changes that would result in the most vulnerable Australians bearing the brunt of budget savings measures. This includes opposition to the proposals for a four week wait for young people to access unemployment payments; an increase in Newstart eligibility age to 25; the cessation of the Energy Supplement for new income support recipients; reductions in Family Tax Benefit payments to disadvantaged families; and restrictions to Government Paid Parental Leave.

Financial wellbeing and capability activity

Financial wellbeing and capability activity thumbnail

Mission Australia is a Financial Crisis and Emergency and Food Relief service provider in WA, NT and NSW which forms an integral part of the suite of supports provided to the most vulnerable people in Australia. We welcome the opportunity to provide feedback to the Department of Social Services on the Financial Wellbeing and Capacity (FWC) framework. This submission highlights the importance of these vital services.

Submission on Welfare Reform Bill

Welfare reform bill

This submission expresses concerns about proposed welfare changes that will make it more difficult for people to access payments and will also tighten compliance arrangements which could push people who are already struggling into further poverty. Further, the proposed legislation puts unwarranted pressure on people struggling with addiction by introducing drug testing trials and limiting mutual obligation exemptions, despite the lack of treatment availability and absence of evidence that such a punitive approach will assist people to recover or to gain employment.

Mission Australia submission on the Social Services Legislation Amendment (Drug Testing Trial) Bill

 Mission Australia submission on the Social Services Legislation Amendment (Drug Testing Trial) Bill

This submission reiterates Mission Australia's opposition to the proposed drug testing trial. Ensuring treatment is available when sought would be a much more effective approach to supporting people on their journey to recovery than penalising them through the social security system. 

Adequacy of Newstart and related payments 2019 (Commonwealth Parliament - Community Affairs Reference Committee)

Adequacy of Newstart and related payments

A considerable proportion of people we support receive some form of social security allowances and are in severe financial stress due to the inadequacy of the payments. Our submission focused on the impact of these financial limitations on physical and mental health, housing and homelessness, impact on diverse groups such as young people, mature aged people and single parents and systemic issues such as lack of employment opportunities and unemployment. 

Social Services Legislation Amendment (Drug Testing Trial) Bill 2019 (Commonwealth Parliament - Community Affairs Legislation Committee)

cover

This Bill proposes to administer drug tests on 5,000 new social security payment recipients in Canterbury-Bankstown NSW, Mandurah WA and Logan QLD. Mission Australia’s submission recommended that the Bill be rejected and the funding committed to the trial be redirected to residential and other community drug and alcohol services.

Retirement Income Review

cover

Mission Australia’s submission encouraged the Federal Treasury to take into account the needs of people experiencing financial disadvantages. The submission made a range of recommendations including the need to increase access to safe, secure and affordable housing and equity across the retirement income system.

Inquiry into the Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Extension of Coronavirus Support) Bill 2020

cover

Mission Australia, as a member of the Raise the Rate for Good Campaign, has been calling for a permanent increase to income support payments. This submission highlighted the need for the government not to further cut down the payments as proposed in the Bill and permanently increase the payment to support to ensure people are lifted off poverty.

Response to the Select Committee on the Cost of Living

cover

Mission Australia responds to the Select Committee on the cost of living.

Latest news, media & blog articles

Read about what we’ve been working on, our stance on important social issues and how you make a difference to vulnerable Australians' lives.

Subscribe for the latest news

Our founding purpose - 'Inspired by Jesus Christ, Mission Australia exists to meet human need and to spread the knowledge of the love of God'