Tuesday 22 April 2014

DSP changes will excacerbate mental illness - ACOSS

The Australian Council of Social Services has released a statement about the current gov focus on cuts to the Disability Support Pension. Finally we have a voice of reason from an organisation at the coal face. 

They make it clear on no uncertain terms, that fucking around getting a few extra dollars off disability support pensioners will make their mental health issues worse. This is exactly what I've been saying, that in fact the current media hoopla about the DSP adds to my already difficult anxiety issues.
The Australian Council of Social Service and disability advocacy members today urged the Federal Government to ensure that changes being considered to the Disability Support Pension do not further exacerbate the health conditions, poverty and disadvantage experienced by people who rely on the important payment. 

"ACOSS supports a review of income support payments, but we won't support any changes that simply take money away from people in desperate situations and which will risk making them sicker and more disadvantaged," said ACOSS CEO Cassandra Goldie. 

"Reform is needed to improve job prospects and invest more in skills development and support. The last thing we need is to plunge people into further distress. If the Government chooses to go down that road - it would be a major backward step and extremely damaging to some of the most vulnerable members of our community. 

"We know that people with disabilities and those with severe work incapacities, such as mental illness, face enormous challenges. More than 600, 000 people with disability are living below the poverty line. A shocking 42% per cent of people on the DSP are already living in poverty. This is unacceptable and it would be unconscionable for us to make the plight of those who rely on the DSP worse. more  

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