Financial Counselling Australia Pre-Budget Submission
Submission to: Federal Government
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Social Services Legislation Amendment (Strengthening Income Support) Bill 2021 March 2021
Submission to: Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs
This is the financial counselling sector submission in response to the proposed increase in the rate of JobSeeker. The Government’s increase to income support payments in March 2020 lifted hundreds of thousands of Australians out of poverty. One result was a sharp decline in people seeking the support of financial counsellors. This Bill will reverse much of the progress that Australia has made to alleviate poverty, returning thousands of Australians to instead living below the poverty line. These people will struggle to stay afloat in an economy that doesn’t have enough jobs for the number of people out of work. We urge the Parliament to permanently increase income support payments, including JobSeeker and Youth Allowance. We stand with the Australian Council of Social Service in calling for a permanent increase to lift payments to at least $65 per day.
This is the financial counselling sector submission in response to the proposed increase in the rate of JobSeeker. The Government’s increase to income support payments in March 2020 lifted hundreds of thousands of Australians out of poverty. One result was a sharp decline in people seeking the support of financial counsellors. This Bill will reverse much of the progress that Australia has made to alleviate poverty, returning thousands of Australians to instead living below the poverty line. These people will struggle to stay afloat in an economy that doesn’t have enough jobs for the number of people out of work. We urge the Parliament to permanently increase income support payments, including JobSeeker and Youth Allowance. We stand with the Australian Council of Social Service in calling for a permanent increase to lift payments to at least $65 per day.
Consumer vulnerability: expectations for the telecommunications industry
Submission to: Australian Media and Communication Authority
The ACMA has released a draft Statement of Expectations for the telecommunications industry, inviting comment on the five priorities it contains. The aim of the Statement is to improve outcomes for consumers, particularly people who are vulnerable. Our submission notes that the very fact the Statement is necessary is symptomatic of broader problems with the telecommunications industry which in turn reflect the light touch regulatory framework. The submission argues that the Statement should be an enforceable regulatory instrument. Telecommunication companies need to address the barriers that mean people are not being treated fairly, including continuing problems with mis-selling and inadequate hardship processes.
The ACMA has released a draft Statement of Expectations for the telecommunications industry, inviting comment on the five priorities it contains. The aim of the Statement is to improve outcomes for consumers, particularly people who are vulnerable. Our submission notes that the very fact the Statement is necessary is symptomatic of broader problems with the telecommunications industry which in turn reflect the light touch regulatory framework. The submission argues that the Statement should be an enforceable regulatory instrument. Telecommunication companies need to address the barriers that mean people are not being treated fairly, including continuing problems with mis-selling and inadequate hardship processes.