With the COVID supplement to JobSeeker set to finish at the end of March, the federal government announced it would increase the ongoing weekly payment by a measly $25 per week, leaving people to live on about $307 per week.

Meanwhile more than 60 publicly listed businesses became wealthier during COVID while receiving JobKeeper and other government handouts.

These handouts to the higher end of town contrast with the punitive approach taken to unemployed people struggling on below poverty-line payments.

Jennifer interviews an unemployed man, Cliff, who was a full time truck driver til having a heart attack ten years ago.
Cliff talks about what it is like living on JobSeeker and the challenges of making ends meet and finding work. (NB: While he works 12 hours per week cleaning, he is only $70 per week better off).