Page 2476 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 18 August 1993
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These initiatives include an increase in places in the new enterprise incentive scheme - an important program of which I have spoken in this Assembly before - the introduction of the community activity program, and increased funding for ESL training. From March next year, the Newstart allowance paid to long-term unemployed Canberrans will increase by $3 per week.
Mrs Carnell: That is right; $6 a fortnight.
MS ELLIS: Yes, you have got it right, Mrs Carnell. This payment will be for single adults who do not have dependent children. It is important for us to remember these unemployed. Even though they do not have dependants, the particular difficulties associated with long-term unemployment require this increase in payment. You can scoff over the other side; but, as far as I am concerned, any increase is better than none and any increase is better than the devastation that the Opposition would have wreaked if the Federal Libs had taken power.
Mr De Domenico: Only if it is more than you take away.
Mrs Carnell: There is no point in giving them $6 and taking away $500.
MS ELLIS: Despite the interjections, I will get this on the record. The new mature age allowance will benefit many of our older people in the community. The Federal Government has recognised the unique position that many older, long-term unemployed people are in. It is more difficult for this age group to find work and they have particular problems relating to self-esteem and dignity. The recognition of the mature status of people aged 60 years and over will allow those people to benefit from the more generous pension income and asset tests and less stringent work or activity tests than are required for the Newstart allowance.
Another issue affecting the older members of our community that is worth noting here is the introduction of a seniors health card which will provide access to a range of health concessions for non-pensioner retirees who have incomes below the pension cut-out point. With these changes in the Federal budget announced last night, unemployed people will receive greater support in their search for paid employment, both in direct payments and in the substantial increases to government programs. This is in stark contrast to the offer made by our conservative opponents in the recent election campaign.
Another aspect of Australian society and our ACT community is the changing role of women. Again, I cannot expect our regressive friends opposite to understand the importance of the budget strategy for women announced yesterday. I believe that the women of Canberra will benefit most in the areas of health and improvements in the labour market opportunities for workers with family responsibilities. A total of $32m will be allocated nationwide to extend the national women's health program over a further four-year period. This will assist in the areas of health that have not been properly included in the mainstream health system and will include research on disease and health data for women, support for the family planning program, the national program for the early detection of breast cancer, and so on.
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