Tuesday December 4, 2018: The Australian Council of Social Service has today condemned the Parliament’s decision to cut $1.2 billion from social security for recent migrants.

“This decision will hurt people and their children trying to build a life in Australia. Our social security system should be built on equality,” said Dr Cassandra Goldie, ACOSS CEO.

“We know that migrants make a huge contribution to the community. The Government’s legislation that passed the Parliament last night, with the support of the Australian Labor Party, One Nation, Derryn Hinch, Brian Burston and David Leyonhjelm, says to migrants that you are not as valued as the rest of us. This policy will hurt people for a long time to come.

“Instead of making life harder for people, our Parliament should focus on how to reduce poverty and inequality to ensure all of us can thrive. Our Parliament should focus on reducing division in our communities, and develop policies based on compassion and respect.”