We Work 2 Days To Pay For Dole But Nearly 10 Days For Welfare For The Wealthy: Bandt
Deputy Greens Leader and Finance spokesperson Adam Bandt MP said that Australians are working only 2 days a year to fund unemployment benefits but nearly 10 days a year to pay for other forms of ‘welfare for the wealthier’.
“Last week, Joe Hockey tried to pit working Australians against those who need help, saying that the average working Australian works a month every year to fund the welfare of others,” said Mr Bandt.
“In fact, the average working Australian works only 2 days a year to fund unemployment benefits. That’s just 2 days a year to put in place a safety net if you lose your job, fall on hard times and need help to get another job. That’s not something most Australians would begrudge.
“What Joe Hockey didn’t say is that the average working Australian works nearly 10 days a year extra, or about $2000 annually, to fund ‘welfare for the wealthier’. That includes tax concessions for Gina Rinehart and other tax concessions for high earners.
“The Greens aren’t saying that all these concessions need to end tomorrow, but simply that the Treasurer should paint the full picture before he starts attacking the poor,” said Mr Bandt.
Analysis by the Greens has revealed that, for the average worker:
• Only 2 days’ work a year is needed to pay for unemployment benefits
• Almost half of Joe Hockey’s month – 11 working days – covers assistance to the aged
• Nearly 10 days’ pay – 1.34 working weeks – in concessions and subsidies going to welfare for the wealthier