Articles on Newstart
Displaying 41 - 60 of 112 articles
Authoritarian populism has been around for a while, but this government’s determination to punish some groups make the label more apt than just “conservative”.
The government wants to triple the number of Australians on the Cashless Debit Card in the face of scant evidence it does them any good.
A typical Newstart recipient is middle-aged, female, and more likely than most to live outside of a major city.
Getting people off welfare appears to “disappear” as many as it puts into jobs.
Once rent is paid, having to live on only $14 a day doesn’t cover the costs of job seeking. The evidence of the need to increase Newstart and Rent Allowance is overwhelming.
Newstart increases are projected to get smaller and smaller relative to pension increases. By the end of the century Newstart will be just two fifths of the pension.
Jim Chalmers on the need to change economic course
The Conversation, CC BY35.9 MB (download)
In this podcast, Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers argues the government can have both a more stimulatory policy and a surplus going forward.
Another stormy week in federal parliament has seen debate around Gladys Liu’s alleged links to China and the ethics of the government’s push to drug-test Newstart recipients.
We need to look at what’s behind arguments for and against drug testing welfare recipients to avoid repeating the same debate, over and over.
Independent MP Helen Haines on using ‘soft power’
The Conversation, CC BY27.1 MB (download)
Helen Haines, who does not have the real legislative power her predecessor, Cathy McGowan shared after the Coalition fell into minority government, says "building relationships is key to getting things done".
Claiming “there are jobs out there for those who want them” is cheap rhetoric glossing over the reality of unemployment.
Parliament has now finished its sitting fortnight. Michelle Grattan discusses the key issues from it, including Labor’s approach to passing legislation given its weaker position in the Senate.
This week, Morrison told his backbench to keep their opinions in line or internal, appointed a man he’s personally close to as his new head of the Prime Minister’s department, and put the public service in its place.
Paul Oosting responds to GetUp’s critics
The Conversation, CC BY29.1 MB (download)
GetUp's national director Paul Oosting joins Michelle Grattan to respond to critics who accuse the organisation of "creating an environment...[of] abuse, harassment, intimidation".
Many people enter and leave Newstart quickly. But most of those on it have been on it for a long time.
Morrison is keen to whip the backbench into line early, telling the backbench to be “mindful of what we took to the election and what we didn’t take”.
Centre Alliance’s Stirling Griff on Newstart
The Conversation, CC BY26.3 MB (download)
Centre Alliance Senator Stirling Griff tells Michelle Grattan that his party will pressure the government to raise Newstart.
Yes, most jobseekers who receive Newstart payments are also eligible for other benefits. But in many cases this is just a few dollars a fortnight to help with expenses such as electricity bills.
Caroline Fisher talks about the week in Australian politics with Michelle Grattan.
Frydenberg said the decision was made at a meeting on Tuesday night of Morrison, Cormann and himself. He indicated it was about smoothing the passage of the measure through the parliament.



















