Wimmera residents looking for work would be more than $200 better off every year, if a proposal to raise the Newstart Allowance by $75 a week was to be adopted.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Australian Council of Social Services has been campaigning for this change, and on Sunday the National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling analysed what impact it would have in every federal electorate.
It found Mallee job seekers would be on average $231.14 per capita better off under the proposal.
This put the electorate 28th nationwide in the analysis, with residents of Blaxland in Sydney's west the biggest winners, receiving on average $362.63.
Centrelink figures showed in September 2018, more than 1300 people collected Newstart Allowance in Wimmera local government areas.
More than 400 people also collected Newstart in each of the Northern Grampians and Ararat Rural City municipalities, which are in Wannon.
The centre analysis predicted recipients in this electorate would be $220 better off each year under this proposal.
UnitingWimmera supports unemployed residents with emergency relief funding. Executive officer Josh Koenig backed raising the Newstart allowance.
"We're in full support," he said. "Although it may seem like a small amount, it will still make a difference to people putting food on tables.
"When you look at what it can be used for, I think that's where the fruits will be seen."
Horsham's Christian Emergency Food Centre client assessment manager Bev Miatke said a raise to Newstart would be helpful but probably wouldn't make a significant difference to Wimmera residents doing it tough.
"For people who don't have a job and are struggling with bills, I don't know $231 a year is going to make a significant difference," she said.
"The federal government needs to review how to make power prices and healthcare more affordable in addition to reviewing Newstart. We get people coming to us for a lot of different reasons, but generally those we see who are unemployed are in a generational poverty cycle."
The CEFC is a not-for-profit that offers families in need food parcels, financial assistance and referrals to other agencies. Mrs Miatke said the organisation had been getting very busy recently.
"From the end of last year until now there has been a definite increase," she said.
"We are seeing new clients coming in regularly, one or two new ones a day. These last few years have been our busiest since the 12 year drought."
Tuesday's Federal Budget included a one-off "energy assistance payment" - $75 for singles and $125 for couples - to help millions of Australians with their power bills.
Newstart recipients were initially not to receive this payment, but on Wednesday Treasurer Josh Frydenburg revealed they would.
Mrs Miatke said this payment would have a more immediate impact on the people and families coming to the CEFC for helop.
To be eligible for Newstart payments, people must be over 21 and under 65, looking for paid work, be prepared to enter into an Employment Pathway Plan and meet activity test requirements.
A single Newstart recipient with no children can expect to receive up to $555.70 a fortnight, which works out to be just under $40 a day.
Alexander Darling
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
