Alannah Mactiernan (Perth, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I want to strongly protest the shameful treatment in last night's budget of young Australians who stand to lose their jobs. I support the need for strong work tests and strong work for the dole measures but here we have something completely different. Here we have a total abandonment of the social safety net for Australians under 30 when they lose their jobs.

If you are a 28-year-old who is laid off from your job and you are desperately, earnestly, trying to find work, you will have no entitlement for unemployment benefit for up to six months, nor will you be entitled to access work for the dole programs. So how do you support yourself? How do you pay your rent? How do you eat? Not everyone has a large family home where they can seek refuge or a large parental income.

Many 28-year-olds would have left home more than a decade ago. We are not told the full extent of the waiting period. There is no information on what the minimum waiting period will be. Leaving a cohort of young with no legal means of support will have to see a rise in crime levels. Some young people may have to steal to feed themselves or have to deal in drugs to pay the rent. If we want to make sure people are not bludging, let them work for the dole; do not leave them absolutely penniless.

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