Anglicare Australia believes that a fair society is one where everyone can live a dignified life and nobody lives in poverty. People are entitled to support while they study for the future, get help while they look for work, or get a pension to support themselves if they have a disability, and be paid fairly for the work they do. We must have adequate incomes to become a fair society.
Anglicare Australia is committed to creating a fairer and more just society. This position statements describe our positions on the issues related to Adequate Income.
Publications
Submission on Enhancing Pensioner and Veteran Workforce Participation Amendment
As well as much needed income, work can give people purpose, reduce social isolation, and foster connection to community. In this submission Anglicare Australia supportsthe provisions in the amendment that allow people receiving aged pension or veteran entitlements to have their payments suspended for up to two years, instead of cancelled, if they earn employment income above the maximum threshold. We also call for extension of the Work Bonus to social security recipients under 65 years and support for workforce participation through a universal basic income.
Submission to the Productivity Commission Inquiry into Carer Leave
Taking care of a loved one or a friend can be extremely rewarding and fulfilling, but it can also negatively impact an informal carer’s health, wellbeing, and financial security. Current arrangements fail to adequately support informal carers. In this submission, Anglicare Australia advocates that a legislated right to return to work will be helpful, but having enough money to live on while carrying out caring responsibilities is far more important. We call for a universal, permanent basic income to benefit all carers.
Submission on the Digital Protections Framework for Employment Services Programs
This submission comments on the Draft Social Security (Digital Protections Framework for Employment Services Programs) Determination 2022. It argues that while this Framework is a useful step, the new system has been created in a way that will continue to allow the Secretary and providers to issue rigid penalties, such as payment suspensions and cancellations, without review. It also makes detailed comments and recommendations on Schedule 1 of the Draft Framework.