"I could have been a moderate member in the Liberal Party but instead I joined the Labor party and fit in just as fine"
Ergo
Liberal and Labor are the same
What "less fortunate" are they there for?
Ha. Thanks for mis-quoting me.
The poor, centrelink recipents etc.
Hence my speech to YLL conference:
Introduction (name if necessary.)
*****IF NEEDED ONLY!!!!*****
I seek leave to make a statement.
Motion!!!!!! I move that the Centre link benefits being raised in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
*****ACTUAL SPEECH!!!!*****
Thank you Madam Speaker. Today I am going to talk about why this motion should be in the YLL Platform. Today I will talk about the pensioners, carers and the unemployed.
The pay that these people receive is absolutely un-acceptable. This group of people can’t afford basic living expenses. We are not a third world country. We are a country that has the ability to care for our citizens in need. For the benefit of the Conference, I will provide a summary of the benefits for this group of people. The Single Age pension is $658.40 per fortnight. For a couple, it is $496.30 per fortnight. The cares allowance is $106.70 per fortnight, plus a $600 per year supplement. The carers payment’s are the same rates as the age pension. The Unemployed receive a benefit called the New Start Allowance. The Single with no children Newstart Allowance is $469.70 per fortnight, while with dependent children is $508.20 per fortnight. This is not acceptable given the rising cost of living. These people have to pay for their food, toiletries, bills, rates, clothes, medical and other expanses to survive. Most of these people have to rely on public transport, this adds to the cost that they sustain.
The Pensioners have contributed to the economy for upwards of 50-60-70 years. I would like to congratulate the Rudd government for granting the pensioners a $30.00 raise in rates in the 2009-10 budget. While this is a start, more needs to be done.
I now move on to talk about the Carers of Australia, the Carers want a voice. We need to be that voice.
Carers are a group of society that care because they love the person that they are caring for. Therefore, they need assistance from the government to keep up with the rising cost of living.
Carers Payment is a payment made to a carer because they cannot support themselves through Paid employment. The carers have to take on modified furniture, modified houses and any cost of surgery. Surgery can cost upwards of between $2000 and $4000.
These rates need to be adjusted in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This is absolutely imperative, to ensure that these people are not left behind in society.
The Labor party and Labor Left faction is about looking after the people of society that needs help the most. We stand up for the needs of these people. This is why raising the Centrelink benefit payments in line with the CPI need to be in YLL platform.
Thank you for allowing me to speak on this motion that I feel very strongly about.