According to Amanda Rishworth, the minister for social services, those on rent assistance and pensioners will receive a boost in payments due to the indexation.
This is one of a number of measures taken by the government to help those struggling with rising costs.
In May’s federal budget, the government increased rent assistance by ten percent. It also implemented a price freeze on some medicines.
With the latest indexation, Ms Rishworth noted that families will benefit even more.
For single pensioners, the fortnightly payment will increase by around $28.10 to $1,144.40. For couples, the increase is $42.40.
Individuals receiving rent assistance will receive an extra $23, based on the budget increase and the latest indexation.
Jobseeker’s Allowance will also increase by a modest $15.30. But Ms. Rishworth noted that the increase has contributed to a boost of $135 since the government took over.
She praised the government’s decision to boost payments, but she criticized the opposition for failing to criticize the administration’s welfare measures.
She noted that the indexation is a vital measure of relief that helps people keep up with the rising cost of living.
Unfortunately, the opposition has been criticizing the government’s efforts to help people with the cost of living.
Ms Rishworth argued that the opposition’s claims that the government’s welfare measures are symptomatic of its lack of discipline were incorrect.
According to Ms Rishworth, the government’s rent assistance helps keep inflation low.
It also affects the prices of other products and services, which means that rents would have gone up if it weren’t for the program.
Sarah Henderson, the opposition’s education minister, criticized the minister’s claims.
Senator Henderson noted that the government is partly responsible for the rising cost of living.
She said that indexing benefit payments and rent assistance twice yearly is a regular occurrence under the previous government.
What is not usual is the rising cost of living in Australia, particularly for pensioners. Australians are struggling with the high cost of food, gas, and electricity.
My portfolio shows that there are over three million people who have experienced a 16 percent increase in student loan debt. It is just appalling.
