“While there is a lot of good in this year’s Budget, people who rely on the dole miss out once again. The Supplementary Allowance announced only amounts to a mere $4 a week. CPSA calls for the gap between income support payments to be closed.”, said CPSA’s Policy Coordinator Paul Versteege.

“CPSA supports the findings in the Australian Council of Social Services’ study revealing that Australia’s most vulnerable citizens are missing out on essential goods and services,” said Amelia Christie, CPSA Research and Policy Officer.

Measures to improve equality and fairness continue to be held back with Employment Minister Bill Shorten ruling out an increase to Newstart Allowance in this year’s budget.

“CPSA encourages the big banks not to blink first and not cut deposit rates”, said senior policy officer, Antoine Mangion.