Increase JobSeeker Benefits Now
Oh for fuck’s sake, Australia. It’s time to stop treating your unemployed citizens like second-rate garbage and start acting like you give a damn about human beings. The constant hemming and hawing from both the Liberal Party and the ALP about raising unemployment benefits is a complete load of bullshit. Let’s get one thing straight: raising unemployment benefits isn’t just a handout to a bunch of lazy slackers who don't want to work. It’s a goddamn necessity for a fair and functioning society.
First off, let’s squash this idiotic notion that higher unemployment benefits disincentivize people from working. You really think people want to live on the pittance that is the current JobSeeker rate? Try surviving on that amount and tell me if it feels like a cushy life. Most people want to work, contribute, and feel a sense of purpose. But when you’re drowning in poverty, that becomes a hell of a lot harder. Higher benefits mean people can afford to actually look for work instead of scrambling just to stay afloat. It’s a goddamn lifeline, not a hammock.
Now, onto the next excuse—risk to inflation. This is the most asinine scapegoat ever. The economy isn’t some fragile flower that will wilt at the first sign of increased social spending. Hell, higher unemployment benefits actually inject money into the economy. People spend that money on essentials—food, housing, healthcare. This isn’t money that’s going into offshore bank accounts or being wasted on yachts. It’s going straight back into local businesses, boosting demand, creating jobs, and generating economic activity. It’s a win-win, but the powers that be are too short-sighted to see it.
And for the love of all that’s holy, think about vulnerable women and families. You’ve got single mothers who are scraping by, trying to feed their kids on next to nothing. You’ve got families where one breadwinner lost a job, and now they’re spiralling into debt because the safety net is a fucking joke. By not raising unemployment benefits, you’re not just making life harder for these individuals—you’re perpetuating a cycle of poverty that affects entire generations. Higher benefits provide stability, which is crucial for children’s development and education. Kids who aren’t constantly hungry and stressed out perform better in school, and guess what? They grow up to be more productive members of society. It’s called investing in the future, you dimwits.
Let’s talk about mental health, too. Living in poverty is incredibly stressful. Constantly worrying about how you’re going to pay rent, buy food, or cover medical expenses takes a massive toll on a person’s mental well-being. Depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues skyrocket under these conditions. Higher unemployment benefits can alleviate some of this stress, leading to better mental health outcomes. And better mental health means people are more capable of seeking and maintaining employment. It’s all connected, you numbskulls.
And don’t give me that crap about affordability. Australia is a wealthy country. We’ve got the resources to make this happen. It’s not about whether we can afford to increase benefits; it’s about whether we can afford not to. Poverty is expensive. It leads to higher healthcare costs, increased crime rates, and lower productivity. By keeping people in poverty, we’re actually costing ourselves more in the long run. Prevention is cheaper than cure, and higher unemployment benefits are a form of prevention.
In conclusion, raising unemployment benefits isn’t just a moral imperative—it’s a practical one. It helps individuals and families, boosts the economy, improves mental health, and saves money in the long term. So stop with the excuses and do what’s right. People’s lives depend on it. It’s time to grow a spine and make the changes that are desperately needed. Because Australia, we can’t afford not to.