Submission on the Social Security Amendment Bill

Summary

1. The Salvation Army strongly opposes the Social Security Amendment Bill 2024. While we acknowledge that the government’s intent is to reduce welfare dependency and promote employment, we believe that the bill will not significantly support these goals, but rather the proposed changes will negatively impact the most vulnerable—many of whom rely on our services. Supporting over 135,000 families annually, most of whom are beneficiaries, we, The Salvation Army sees firsthand the detrimental effects of the benefit sanctions already implemented on those who are already struggling.
2. We strongly oppose many of the measures in this bill, including stricter sanctions, the removal of annual income assessments, and restricted spending, as they are likely to increase poverty, financial hardship, and diminish wellbeing. The people we support, whom most are reliant on benefits require a more compassionate and nuanced approach. Reforms should prioritise tailored support, education, and job placement rather than punitive sanctions that risk discouraging temporary work and increasing reliance on already overstretched community social services. These changes will perpetuate hardship and further strain our sector that has already faced significant funding cuts from government
3. The bill fails to strike an appropriate balance between accountability and compassion. By focusing on punitive measures rather than meaningful support, the bill risks perpetuating poverty and undermining the wellbeing of those it seeks to help.