Workforce Australia (WFA) commenced in 2021 as a result of the findings of key reviews into the Jobactive program. Under the new model performance criteria have addressed some key failures of the previous systems. However the changes do not address some of the underlying flaws in how services are delivered to job seekers.
Access to income support affects women and men in different ways; it is not gender neutral. This submission responds to the terms of reference through a gender lens.
Impacts of Government proposals to cut family benefits. 1.1 million families will lose FTB-A Supplements of $726 per child.
We greatly regret that this Review does not encompass payments for sole parents, as we consider that some of the Welfare to Work changes have been particularly disadvantageous to sole parents and their capacity to be successful or even adequate parents.
In the early 1980’s Australia had a highly progressive, individual based income tax and families received support for dependent children in the form of universal family allowances.
Since the 1980s the introduction of income tests on family payments has transformed Australia’s progressive individual income tax into a system with strong elements of joint taxation and a rate scale that has an inverted U-shaped profile – the highest marginal tax rates apply across low to average incomes and to the incomes of married mothers as second earners.
Background to Individual Budgets - Longstanding commitment to flexible, person-centred care in policy from 1980s. Existing development of direct payments, but low take up by older people.
Lower income earners, both male and female, cannot hope to save an adequate sum from the Superannuation Guarantee and voluntary savings. Their savings can however supplement the Age Pension set at an adequate level.
The Office for Women has asked the WomenSpeak Alliance and the National Foundation for Australian Women to prepare analyses and responses to the Review of Australia’s Future Tax System on matters affecting the wellbeing of women.
