Is Newstart a new beginning?


On today’s episode of Accent, we ask, does Newstart allowance provide for a basic living wage - or should the payment be raised to meet the changing living standards.

To help us understand the challenges faced by job seekers on Newstart allowance, we spoke to Gemma Mahadeo, a Melbourne-based writer and musician. Gemma's family emigrated from England to Australia in 1987.  She's a committee member for the Women's Melbourne Network, and has performed her work with the disability troupe 'Quippings'. She identifies as a queer migrant of colour, with a chronic mental health condition.

We also speak to Lara Watson, the Indigenous Officer of the Australian Council of Trades Union about the failure of the Community Development Program. Lara is part of the roll out of the Wage Justice Campaign for CDP Workers through the First Nations Workers Alliance.