More than 200 prominent women and non-binary leaders have backed calls for the Albanese government to raise welfare payments to support women leaving violent situations.
In a letter written to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS) garnered the signatures of women and non-binary leaders across a wide range of fields – including business, unions, academia and the community sector – urging the government to improve the economic security for women who have suffered family, domestic and sexual violence.
The call comes after the federal government announced an additional $925 million over five years for the Leaving Violence Program, a commitment which has been criticised by experts as not nearly enough to meet the demand from frontline services.
Ahead of the next federal budget set to be announced next Tuesday, the letter from ACOSS implores the government to consider raising the rate of JobSeeker and Youth Allowance payments from Centrelink, as suggested in the government-appointed Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee 2024 report.
Currently, people on the JobSeeker welfare payment, which ACOSS says amounts to about 500,000 women, receive just $55 a day. Those on Youth Allowance receive just $45 a day.
The letter to the Prime Minister suggests raising the welfare payments would be an effective way to help those who experience family, domestic and sexual violence get out of unsafe situations, especially First Nations women, culturally and linguistically diverse women, women with disabilities and women with other intersecting identities.
Among the 200 leaders who signed the letter is Antoinette Braybrook, AM, the CEO of Djirra, a culturally-safe support service for First Nations women and girls.
“Every woman who reaches out for our services for their safety is living in extreme poverty,” Braybrook said.
“Economic security is vital to saving their lives, keeping mums with their children and, for our women, preventing criminalization and incarceration. Fixing the shockingly low rate of Jobseeker and Youth Allowance is an easy yet long overdue step towards saving Aboriginal women’s lives.”
The Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner Dr Anna Cody also signed ACOSS’ letter, saying increasing welfare payments “would help lift about half a million women out of poverty”.
“Bolstering women’s economic security is crucial to giving them the means to leave and remain free of violence,” Dr Cody said.
Magda Szubanski AO, another signatory of the letter, said the way to “break the cycle” of poverty and male violence against women is through “adequate income support”.
“Forty-five years ago, I worked in a women’s refuge so I know exactly what helps women be safe,” Szubanski said.
“It isn’t just supporting women to leave a violent relationship, but supporting them over the longer term. Adequate income support is crucial if we are to break the cycle.”
ACOSS CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie said increasing these welfare payments could be the “fastest” way to reach a solution to ending violence against women and children.
“We cannot end violence against women without addressing poverty,” she said.
“The fastest and most effective way to end poverty is by lifting JobSeeker and Youth Allowance payments so they are enough for women to live in safety and with dignity.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services.
If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit http://www.ntv.org.au.
Feeling worried or no good? No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. Speak to a 13YARN Crisis Supporter, call 13 92 76. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.