“Families can buy fresh fruit and vegetables, go to the dentist, or get their cars fixed, using the temporary increase  . This was not possible on Newstart payments of $40 a day,” said Jessica.

“One of our members needs to take her medication with food – now she can have regular meals with her meds. Tuna and 2-minute noodles do not make a balanced diet.

“Next week, as part of nationwide days of action, we are calling on the fed government to permanently increase  the rate of Jobseeker. 

“We will be presenting our MP Russell Broadbent with cans of soup, unfortunately a staple for many people on the old Newstart rate. We will show our MP a typical diet of a person on $40 per day .

“1.64  million people are now on JobSeeker. This is likely to increase, especially due to the situation in Victoria. There were 2,851 applicants for a Customer Service job recently.

“To critics who say we can’t afford it, we say – what price is health? Better diets mean less visits to the doctor and safer cars. Healthy children learn better. It’s an investment for the future, and better than spending $270 billion on the military. 

People on welfare payments also spend their money where they live, benefitting the local economy.

Mark Lanyon, AUWU member from Foster, said “Life is less stressful at the moment, my bills are up to date and my pantry has healthier food. It’s a relief to know that when a bill arrives, I can pay it. I don’t have to ask for credit. To return to $40 a day will make life not worth living.”

When: 11am on Wednesday 15th July 

Where:  Office of Monash Federal MP Russell Broadbent, 46c Albert Street, Warragul VIC

Comment: Jessica Harrison 0480 232459 AUWU Wonthaggi

Mark Lanyon 0478 477186   AUWU Foster