As Australia enters its worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, key interventions are needed to avoid a poverty crisis. The number of people on JobSeeker allowance has already doubled and I’m especially worried about people who were already doing it tough and now have to compete with more people at the bottom end of the rental market where rents have not decreased. The coronavirus supplement to JobSeeker provided some relief but it has already been cut and will be completely removed in December, leaving those without work with little capacity to afford basic expenses. The supplement must be retained and poverty must be the focus of the upcoming state budget.

In Parliament I again called for a social and affordable housing investment boom and more funding for services that support the vulnerable. Job creation must also target those most affected by unemployment like women and young people. My speech: HERE.