ACOSS has called on the coalition to retreat from pursing the so called ‘Zombie’ and other Federal budget policy measures that would reduce incomes to adults and children at risk of or already living in poverty.

“Casting a shadow over this year’s federal election campaign are $18 billion dollars of ‘zombie’ Budget measures, including payment cuts from the controversial 2014 Federal Budget that hit people on low incomes in Australia,” said ACOSS CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie.

“Also hanging over the heads of low-income households are $1.4 billion in proposed cuts to energy supplement payments to people claiming pensions, allowances and family payments announced in the 2016 Budget.”

ACOSS said that if implemented by a new coalition government, these cuts will mean that a sole parent with two teenage children and no private income (who applies for social security after these measures take effect) would be $96 per week worse off.

“The 2014 Budget proposals were soundly rejected by the community, policy experts and repeatedly by the senate yet, in a breach of budget transparency, the measures remain on the books. Income support for people at risk of poverty are the last place that government should look for Budget savings,” said Goldie.

“We know that people on low incomes are already seriously struggling to make ends meet. The evidence is clear and compelling.”

ACOSS research shows that there are 2.5 million people living in poverty, including 600,000 children. A recent survey by the National Council of Single Mothers and their Children found that up to 65 per cent of single parents are going without food in order to ensure their children have enough. A recent Salvation Army survey found that nearly 70 per cent of their clients experienced extreme housing stress and one in five families surveyed could not afford medical treatment for their children.

“With both Labor and the Greens ruling out these measures, we call on the coalition to do the same,” said Goldie.

“We welcome Labor’s announcement last week that they continue to oppose proposed social security payment cuts to households on the lowest incomes and their commitment to review the adequacy of the Newstart Allowance.

“We also welcome the Australian Greens’ support for their commitment to increase the Newstart payment and to establish a payments commission,” said Goldie.