ACOSS Demands Tax Reform, Significant Increase to JobSeeker
The Australian Social Welfare Council hopes the federal government will increase job seeker benefits by 50% in this year’s budget.
ACOSS not only raises JobSeeker from $50 to $76 a day, but also wants the Albanian government to repeal the tier 3 tax cut and make homes more energy efficient.
ACOSS has released its annual budget wishlist of what it wants the government to do when the budget is handed out on May 9th.
Also on the wish list is the removal of the third phase of tax cuts promised by the Labor government in the last election.
Cassandra Goldie, CEO of ACOSS, said: “Now is the right time to amend the adequacy of key social protections for those who earn the lowest incomes and are barred from paid work. It is said that
“So I think now is the perfect time for the government to intervene.
“It is a shame that despite being one of the richest countries in the world, it has the lowest unemployment rate among comparable OECD countries.”
Dr. Goldie said welfare recipients are struggling with basic daily necessities as inflation exacerbates pressure on the cost of living.
“People on income support are skipping meals, forgoing essential medications, and turning off hot water just to cover the roof,” she said.
“Governments must build a fairer tax system, and it should start by ending the third phase of tax cuts for the wealthiest people in society.
“Australia, one of the richest countries in the world, has the ninth lowest overall tax base and the sixth lowest in terms of public spending among OECD countries.”
Dr Goldie said the government must make bold decisions.
“With more than 3 million people living in poverty in Australia, this budget should help lower the cost of living for those most in need and help shape a more inclusive society,” she said. .
Other demands include reimbursement of private health insurance and elimination of fossil fuel subsidies. Replace them with a 15% tax on super-high retirement income. sweet drink tax. offshore gas royalties; expanding the Medicare tax base; Restrictions on Investment Property Tax Concessions. Reduced capital gains tax incentives.
Dr. Goldie also wants to eliminate the investment property tax credit for any portion of the fiscal year in which the investment property is not rented.
“There are just too many rental properties … sitting for long periods of time to really actively rent out to provide homes for people who need them.”
ACOSS also promotes ways to improve energy efficiency for low-income households. The energy regulator’s draft price hikes show Australians will pay 20-22% more for electricity next year.
In a February survey of 208 people conducted by ACOSS, 62% of respondents said they had trouble keeping their homes cool during the summer.
Ninety percent reported feeling sick from the heat, and 30% had heat stroke and required medical assistance.
“People on the lowest incomes are the first, worst and longest to be affected by extreme weather,” Goldie said.
“Low-income people are forced to live in poorly designed homes that are too hot in summer, too cold in winter, and too expensive to run.
“The most important thing we can do right now is, first of all, to invest appropriately in increasing income adequacy … secondly, to invest in energy efficiency for low-income households and is obligatory.”
https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/acoss-demands-tax-shake-up-major-increase-to-jobseeker-c-10053286 ACOSS Demands Tax Reform, Significant Increase to JobSeeker