AASW’s Policy Position on Income Support and Welfare
The AASW has an extensive history of advocating for adequate income support and welfare payments. The United Nations International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights states that all people have the right to social security, to an adequate standard of living, and “to the continuous improvement of living conditions” (United Nations, 1976). In accordance with our values of Respect for Persons, Social Justice and Human Rights, we have consistently advocated for an increase in income support payments, to lift them above the poverty line. We have campaigned against the “robodebt” scheme, cashless debit card, drug-testing for welfare recipients, and repeated punitive federal budgets.
Position Statements
Date |
Title |
July 2014 |
Policy Submissions
Date |
Title |
| October 2020 | Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Continuation of Cashless Welfare) Bill 2020 |
| July 2020 | Covid 19 Inquiry Submission |
October 2019 |
|
October 2019 |
Submission to the Senate Community Affairs References Committee Re: Centrelink’s compliance program |
September 2019 |
|
September 2019 |
|
July 2018 |
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April 2018 |
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September 2017 |
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August 2017 |
|
June 2017 |
Submission to Senate Standing Committee on Education and Employment |
March 2017 |
|
March 2017 |
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September 2016 |
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January 2016 |
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October 2015 |
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October 2015 |
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September 2015 |
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June 2015 |
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May 2015 |
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October 2014 |
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August 2014 |
|
August 2014 |
Media Releases
Other relevant documents
Date |
Title |
June 2016 |
National Study of Social Work Students: Briefing Paper - Important emerging findings |
April 2016 |
Letter to government on the low levels of Newstart, Youth, Austudy and Abstudy allowances |
February 2016 |
|
August 2015 |
