Louise Upston cherry-picks data to punch down on the poor

The Government has very conveniently cherry-picked data from the latest MSD projections to justify its cruel agenda and punch-down policy when it comes to people living in poverty. 

“Poverty is a political choice this Government is choosing for our communities,” says the Green Party’s social development spokesperson, Ricardo Menéndez March.

“We can choose to look after each other and ensure everyone has enough to get by and that nobody gets left behind. The solutions exist and they are right at our fingertips, all that is missing is the political will. 

“The Government has failed to show any interest in ending poverty and has instead made excuses to make it worse. Today, Minister Upston has conveniently omitted that the latest projections by MSD show that people who have been hospitalised, been in prison, suffered from poor mental health, or have previously experienced housing insecurity are more likely to need a benefit for longer.

“The Government has turned its back on people living in poverty as well as the overwhelming evidence that shows punching down on people with benefit sanctions will fail to get them into work and only push them deeper and deeper into poverty. 

“Instead of working to address the underlying drivers of the insecurities that push people towards needing the benefit, Minister Upston has instead chosen to belittle those in need with benefit sanctions. This is tried, tested and failed policy proven to not help people into work but instead trap them in poverty. 

“Cruelty is the point here, not supporting people into employment. The data the Minister is leaning on does not justify or support the use of sanctions. The data is clear that the current economic conditions, coupled with young people not having their basic needs met are a big factor for people experiencing barriers to employment. 

“This is why the Greens will end poverty by introducing a guaranteed minimum income, paid for by a fairer tax system, instead of doubling down on policies that do not support young people’s aspirations.

"Instead of cherry-picking data, the Government should step up and actually support our communities, rather than find excuses to tear them down,” says Ricardo Menéndez March.

Latest Social Development Announcements

Story

Govt’s lack of a plan shows in soaring unemployment stats

The latest labour market figures confirm unemployment has risen to levels not seen since the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Read More

Story

Govt’s sanctions regime fails us all

The Government’s newly released data paints a damning picture: the sanctions regime targeting beneficiaries is an abject failure. 
Read More

Story

Sanctions regime to create more hardship for families

Yesterday the Government passed cruel legislation through first reading to establish a new beneficiary sanction regime that will ultimately mean mo...
Read More

Story

Govt continues to punch down

The Government’s new initiative to get people off the benefit won’t address the core drivers of poverty such as low incomes, lack of access to adeq...
Read More

Story

Soaring benefit sanctions push more into poverty

Sanctions on beneficiaries have sky-rocketed since the Coalition Government came to power, pushing more families into poverty.
Read More

Story

Govt more interested in punishing beneficiaries than ending poverty

The expansion of compulsory money management and introduction of mandatory community service for beneficiaries reheats failed policies that have no...
Read More