Media release
New polling shows very low support for Government policy to cut welfare benefits by removing the clean energy supplement.
The poll of 1,310 residents across Tasmania showed 60% opposed cutting Newstart, while just 25% supported the move. (see poll below)
“There has been mounting evidence of the inadequacy of the unemployment benefits. To cut them further would be policy failure and grossly unfair,” Executive Director of The Australia Institute, Ben Oquist said.
“15 years ago a couple on Newstart would have enough income to put them on the poverty line. There has been a steady decline and these cuts mean a couple would now be 32% below the long established Henderson poverty line.
“The will be an early fairness test for the new Senate who will have the ultimate decision whether to support Coalition moves to cut the income of the poorest Australians while giving big banks a tax cut,” Oquist said.
POLL RESULTS
ReachTEL conducted a survey of 1,310 residents across Tasmania during the evening of 9th and 10th August 2016.
Question: The Newstart allowance is currently $263.80 per week for a single person with no children. The Turnbull government proposes to cut Newstart for new recipients by $4.40 a week (removing the clean energy supplement).
Should the Senate pass the legislation cutting the Newstart allowance?
|
|
Total |
Female |
Male |
18 – 34 |
35 – 50 |
51 – 65 |
65+ |
|
Yes |
25.4% |
23.3% |
27.6% |
30.7% |
28.3% |
20.7% |
21.2% |
|
No |
59.9% |
61.2% |
58.5% |
47.9% |
60.5% |
69.5% |
61.2% |
|
Don’t know |
14.7% |
15.5% |
13.9% |
21.4% |
11.2% |
9.8% |
17.7% |