Louise Humpage, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
Life on social welfare can feel ‘soul destroying’. The May 20 Budget could start to fix that — but an unemployment insurance scheme isn’t the right solution.
A stable residence on campus can help college students who are parents complete their degrees.
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More than 1 in 5 college students are parents, and many struggle to find on-campus housing. Colleges offering a stable place to live on campus can help them succeed.
Families can use various strategies to keep children connected with a parent who’s away for work.
Shutterstock/Orsan Elitok
While many families are busy planning how to spend their time together this Christmas holiday season, others are planning how to manage their time apart.
40% of children in sole-parent households are living below the poverty line.
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Social services minister Kevin Andrews has targeted the Disability Support Pension and Newstart, the main payment for the unemployed, for reform, branding the current level of welfare as unsustainable…
The government policy which moves sole parents onto lower paid Newstart benefits once their children turn eight has caught the attention of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Flickr/Flickeringerbrad
Late last year, the United Nations’ Human Rights Council expressed its concern that moves to push sole parents onto a lower paid income support may breach our responsibilities under a number of human rights…
The Federal Government claims Australia’s employment services are world class - but how effective are they really?
A new report from the OECD on Australia’s employment service system has prompted the Federal Government to claim that Australia is a “world leader in employment participation” and that Job Services Australia…
Sole parents face competition from other jobseekers for flexible jobs that enable them to care for their children.
AAP
It is universally agreed Newstart is inadequate, especially for the long-term support of individuals or families. The government says their solution is for recipients to get a job, but that is not easy…
The ALP has passed a bill that will reduce the social security payments for single parents — most of whom are women.
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There’s no doubt that last week’s stoush between Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott over sexism and misogyny was extraordinary. But in spite of all the bluster, a comparison of each party’s policies might serve…