Name: Scott Morrison confirms a permanent increase to JobSeeker - but only by $3.57 a day
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Scott Morrison confirms a permanent increase to JobSeeker - but only by $3.57 a day

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The modest increase to the base rate, well below the $25 a day rise that has long been called for by advocacy groups, comes as employers are granted power to report anyone refusing a job offer to the government.ShareAbout 1.2 million unemployed Australians on the JobSeeker payment will receive an extra $3.57 a day, or $50 a fortnight, after the $150 coronavirus supplement ends on 31 March.Prime Minister Scott Morrison made the announcement on Tuesday after years of campaigning by welfare organisations, business groups and opposition politicians who argued the pre-pandemic rate of ."I want to assure all Australians, I can tell you, nothing will distract me or my government from my pledge to them to save lives and save livelihoods," Mr Morrison told reporters on Tuesday.The modest increase lifts JobSeeker to 41.2 per cent of the national minimum wage and will cost $9 billion over four years.It takes the post-March payment rate to $615.70 a fortnight, or just under $44 a day, well below the $25 a day increase called for by the Australian Council of Social Service.READ MOREACOSS chief executive Cassandra Goldie said on Monday JobSeeker recipients were struggling to afford rent, food, medication, and bills even with the coronavirus supplement, which took the fortnightly payment to $715.70."As we continue along what will be a long, hard road out of recession, we cannot leave millions of people behind in poverty, which is clearly inhumane makes no economic sense," she said."For far too long, our unemployment payment, which is the lowest in the OECD, has been brutal and inhumane."The increase comes with a strengthening of mutual obligation requirements.Employment Minister Michaelia Cash said the number of job searches someone on JobSeeker must do per month will increase to 15 at the end of March and then return to the pre-pandemic number of 20 at 1 July.They will also have to do a short course or work experience after six months on the payment.Significantly, an “employer reporting line” will also be set up, enabling employers to directly contact the government about people who turn down job opportunities.“If someone does apply for a job, they’re offered the job and they’re qualified for the job but they say no, the employer will now be able to contact my department and report that person as failing to accept suitable employment,” Senator Cash said. “This will then mean that my department can follow up with that person, or alternatively, Jobactive can follow up with that person to ascertain exactly why they said no to a suitable job. In the event that they do not have a valid reason, they will be breached for that.”READ MOREThe government will also increase the income-free area by $150 a fortnight from 31 March, meaning recipients are able to earn more money before their payments are reduced.Social Services Minister Anne Ruston said the package of measures was “clearly about getting the balance right”.“We need to support people while they're looking for work, we need to create incentives so they want to look for work,” she said.“We need a system that is fair and sustainable for the people who need it and the taxpayers who pay for it.”At the height of the pandemic last year, JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, and Austudy recipients received a supplement of $550 per fortnight - which was scaled back as the economic crisis lessened. Here's where else you can find our content and follow us:SBS News website: Save our website  as a favourite. SBS News app: Download our app from  or  and subscribe to the alerts.SBS News newsletters: Get the latest delivered to your email inbox by . Apple News: Follow the SBS News channel .Twitter: Follow us at Instagram: Follow us at YouTube: Subscribe at TikTok: Follow us at Reddit: Join us at SBS also publishes news in 68 languages online and on radio. Find your language at  and specific health information about COVID-19 at You can also still find stories from , ,  and  on their websites and various social media platforms.Stay up to date with SBS NEWSSBS News AppDownload our free app on the App Store or Google Play for the latest headlines and breaking news alerts.We love feedback: help us improve by rating the app and sharing your suggestions atSBS News on socialFollow SBS News to join in the conversation and never miss the latest live updates.Latest News podcastsAsk for the latest SBS News or listen to .Daily BulletinWatch SBS World News live daily at 6:30pm on TV and . Catch up on .

The modest increase to the base rate, well below the $25 a day rise that has long been called for by advocacy groups, comes as employers are granted power to report anyone refusing a job offer to the government.ShareAbout 1.2 million unemployed Australians on the JobSeeker payment will receive an extra $3.57 a day, or $50 a fortnight, after the $150 coronavirus supplement ends on 31 March.Prime Minister Scott Morrison made the announcement on Tuesday after years of campaigning by welfare organisations, business groups and opposition politicians who argued the pre-pandemic rate of ."I want...

Scott Morrison confirms a permanent increase to JobSeeker - but only by $3.57 a day

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