UnitingCare Australia today supported findings released by ACOSS about the harsh penalties imposed on many social security recipients.

UnitingCare Australia has long argued there are serious moral problems with imposing financial sanctions on people whose income support payment is already at or below the poverty line.

UnitingCare agencies across Australia are witnessing increasing levels of poverty and disadvantage, resulting from harsh changes to social security policy in recent times.

"Our own case studies confirm the evidence of the research conducted by ACOSS and the National Welfare Rights Network," said Ms Libby Davies, National Director of UnitingCare Australia. "Homeless people, young people, people with a mental illness, people with alcohol or other drug problems, and people with low literacy skills are most likely to face penalties for ‘breaching’. These are the very people who are most in need of consistent, reliable income support in order to maximise opportunities for employment and training."

UnitingCare welfare agencies witness first hand the huge increase in penalties imposed for infringements. Behind the numbers are people whose lives are seriously put at risk by these punitive measures.

Take the case of "Ken", of Western Sydney, who has been breached three times by Centrelink. Ken has found it difficult to keep the several jobs he had successfully obtained - not due to lack of commitment or application on his part, but because of his complex family circumstances, particularly his need to care for an unstable parent. Related to that was the issue of transient, insecure housing. Stable housing is hard to achieve when income support is not only stopped, but penalties imposed.

"Breaching simply worsens the situation," said Rev John Pettman, Chair of UnitingCare Australia. "And once again, it is the churches and other charitable organisations who must pick up the pieces, and provide the assistance which Centrelink denies. The evidence of ACOSS’ research reveals a harsh, uncompassionate government. A ‘sanctions’ approach to welfare further entrenches systemic poverty," Rev Pettman said.

UnitingCare Australia calls on government to seriously rethink its punitive approach to welfare reform. Reform should be about making the system work better. The system should be about providing support for people when they need it, and understanding the complexities of their needs. We fail to see how such severe punishment will make the system work better. Our experience is telling us the current approach is further alienating those who need support most.

"We urge Government to base its welfare reform agenda on a social security system which is fair, equitable, and offers a ‘fair go’ for all Australian people and communities," Rev Pettman said. "As a start, the Government would do well to seriously take on board the Uniting Church’s most recent position paper, Principles for a fair and equitable social security system, released in August 2000 and presented to Senators and Members of Parliament."

The Position paper is available on UnitingCare’s web site: