Every day we’re working to support young people, walking with them one-on-one, letting them know that they are valued and have what it takes to overcome the challenges that life throws at them.
But many of the challenges that they face have causes that need to be addressed at a systemic level.
At Concern Australia, for close to 50 years we have championed movements and campaigns to address the long-term causes of disadvantage and vulnerability while also responding to the immediate needs of the young people who are doing it tough. This response is truly a team effort of Concern Australia staff, volunteers, partners and supporters, and when we do it together, we can make a real difference.
We value your ongoing support that does so much for these young people. Please join us in signing petitions and sharing information about campaigns that make a difference. This includes the Raise the Rate campaign.
Raise the Rate
One in six Australian children are living in poverty, and this affects their whole lives.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic began, the Newstart allowance had not increased in real terms for more than 25 years, sitting at about $40 a day, a rate so low that it trapped many people and families in poverty.
The Raise the Rate campaign was started to call for Newstart and associated allowances (such as the Youth Allowance) to be increased by $75 a week.
During the pandemic the Australian Government has supported vulnerable people by rolling Newstart into the new JobSeeker payment, and increasing the rate – but Prime Minister Scott Morrison has repeatedly said that this increase is a temporary measure. Today he announced a staged scaling back of the JobSeeker rate.
We can’t go back to the old rate. It’s not enough for people to live on. The Raise the Rate campaign is calling for a permanent increase to JobSeeker, Youth Allowance and related payments so that everyone can put a roof over their head and food on the table.
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