Pictured: Tom Studans (AUWU), Bev Carter (Community Member), Pas Forgione (ACOSS), Mark Mordue (Media Adviser, Addison Road Community Centre), Rosanna Barbero (CEO, Addison Road Community Centre), Cr Tom Kiat (Inner West Council).
Congratulations to Inner West Council which last night resolved to join Addison Road Community Centre, the Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS) and the Australian Unemployed Workers Union (AUWU) as a partner in the ‘Raise the Rate’ Campaign. The campaign is to lobby the government to raise the Newstart and Youth Allowance rate by at least $75 per week, so local people who are unemployed can afford to pay their rent, put food on their table, and live with some dignity.
At the moment the Newstart rate is $160 a week below the poverty line, and has not been raised in 25 years.
Inner West Council is the third in NSW to come on board as a partner in the campaign – following Newcastle and Parramatta Councils. Rosanna Barbero, CEO Addison Road Community Centre, and Tom Studans from the AUWU spoke in support of the motion at the Council meeting last night.
Click here to watch the campaign launch video for Raise the Rate Inner West, featuring the Sydney Street Choir singing “It’s Time”.
“Yes, It’s Time
It’s time for changing
Not deckchair rearranging
It’s Time to Begin
Yes, It’s Time
It’s time for proving
Not slick manoeuvring
It’s Time to Begin
Yes, It’s Time
It’s Time for poor folk
Not for rich folk
To screw poor folk
Yes, It’s Time
It’s time for Children
Out of poverty
This time for real Bob
Yes, Its Time
Time Oz Labor
For better wages
Has been for ages
Yes, It’s Time
Time for Newstart
To give a real start
One hundred more a week start
Yes, It’s Time
Time for real Jobs
Not starve or kill jobs
It’s time to begin
Yes, It’s Time
Time to Stand Up
For what you say you stand for
It’s time to begin
Yes, it’s Time
Time for shelter
Not helter skelter
It’s time to prove
Yes it’s time
Time for Newstart
To give a real start
One hundred more a week start
Yes, it’s Time
Time for Newstart
To give a real start
One hundred more a week start
Yes, it’s Time”