The Facts - How many will be robbed

Question:Senator Wong asked at Hansard page 49:
How many people who would previously have been on the DSP will be on enhanced Newstart under the Welfare Reform package?

Answer:
The estimated costs of the Welfare to Work package included, amongst other things, the impact of the following number of people who would have been on DSP, but will instead be on Newstart Allowance, as a result of the Welfare to Work package:

• 34,400 in 2006-07;
• 57,900 in 2007-08; and
• 75,700 in 2008-09.

These costing estimates include people who will be granted DSP between 11 May 2005 and 30 June 2006 and will be reviewed with some (those with 15-29 hours per week capacity) transferring to Newstart Allowance as a result of the review process.

These estimates represent annual average impacts for the relevant year, and have been rounded to the nearest 100.

workplace.gov.au - Survey of New Disability Support Pension Customers - Executive Summary

workplace.gov.au - Survey of New Disability Support Pension Customers - Executive Summary: "Participants who were not currently working but with future work intentions or the potential to work in the future were asked a question regarding factors that they would consider before accepting an appropriate position. The three most common factors identified by the 418 respondents were:

* location or distance from home
* pay or salary
* employer flexibility (includes flexibility in relation to hours and days worked as well as work-from-home options).


Participants were also asked about the advantages and disadvantages of working. The most common advantages identified were:

* more money/income
* improve self confidence/self esteem/state of mind
* social contact.

The most common disadvantage of working identified by both groups was that of potential problems with physical and/or mental health."

Comment

This report confirms the truth behind what people with disabilities have been saying for years. We want to work, but we don't want to be forced to do it in a way that jeopardises our health, our psyche and our families. Does that make us bludgers?

Easy way to send letters to your Local Member

A C O S S Website by Webit: "Tell your local MP that you care in 3 quick steps

This year Parliament will consider legislation on payments for the poorest Australians. This includes rules that mean after July 2006 up to 300,000 people could have less money to live on. Take action online now in three quick steps and tell your Member of Parliament that you care about jobless people."

Just click on the heading above to go to the ACOSS Action page.