Join Community Press Conference – 12.00 Thursday May 9, 2013

Redfern Park, Sydney NSW (Chalmers street end, near grand stand) MAP

Bread and water will be supplied to symbolise the meagre existence of life on Newstart Allowance.

ACOSS is asking all supporters of the campaign to increase the single rate of allowances, including Newstart and Youth Allowance, to join our lunchtime press conference at Redfern Park on Thursday May 9, 2013.

ACOSS will be conducting a press conference to insist that the low payments must be increased by $50 a week when the Budget is delivered on Tuesday 14th May.

We are extremely concerned by media speculation today that the Government will not increase the Newstart rate in next week’s Budget – despite the overwhelming support across the community for such an increase.

Almost 1 million people are struggling to survive on these payments – single parents, people with disability, people long term unemployed, and older workers.

ACOSS understands the huge pressure on this Budget, but it is not the time for the most vulnerable to be asked to carry the load.

This year’s Budget is the time to fix this – we urge the government to be courageous and do the right thing by some of the most disadvantaged people in our community.

Please join us and spread the word!

See this video: $35 a day is not enough: Geraldine and Tony’s Story.

Find out more about $35 a day is not enough! campaign.

Call for the single most important act to alleviate poverty for almost 1 million people and their children!