Politics

Scott Morrison Says He Won’t Raise Newstart Because He Has “Other Priorities” Like Mental Health

Someone please tell this man that raising Newstart would do wonders for mental health. 

by Sam Langford  2 August 2019
scott morrison talking points

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Our famously Christian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced that he will not, in fact, follow in Jesus’ footsteps and raise the level of Newstart, telling 7 News that he has other priorities like “investing in mental health”.

Someone please tell this man that giving vulnerable Australians a living wage has the potential to do wonders for mental health.

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In an interview with 7 News yesterday, the Prime Minister firmly ruled out any increase to Newstart on his watch, saying “I’m not going to lead people on about this. If you ask me are we increasing Newstart, well the answer is no, we’re not.”

He went on to say that the Australians who elected him would agree. “They believe the best form of welfare is a job, and they believe that our welfare system should work as much for taxpayers as it does for those who benefit from it,” he argued, which is just downright confusing.

“If the Labor party thinks it’s should be increased, well tell us how much, and how you’re going to pay for it, and what’s going to change,” Morrison said. “Just be honest with the people — I am.”

And that’s true, Scott Morrison has been extremely honest with us about his level of compassion (little to none) over the past week. Labor, for what it’s worth, do support an increase in Newstart, though they’ve declined to suggest a dollar figure, instead calling for the Coalition to review the payment.

You can watch Scott Morrison being an idiot below, but honestly, your time would be better spent watching this video of Greens senator Larissa Waters explaining everything that’s wrong with the Coalition’s stance on raising Newstart.