Petition to make the $550 Coronavirus Supplement permanent

There is a new and important petition to keep the $550 supplement for single mums – the time is NOW and we need to get as many signatures as possible!Did you receive the $550 Coronavirus Supplement – or wish you had? In 2020, Single mums were able to do so much to help raise the quality of life for their families thanks to this extra money.

Bills were paid. Study was undertaken. Children could attend school excursions. Cars were fixed and made safe. Mothers didn’t have to skip meals to be able to afford to feed their children. A healthy diet was suddenly possible. Doctors visits actually happened. And so much more.

Single mum’s kids lives took a turn for the better, and stress levels were lowered as mums were able to meet the basic expenses of raising children alone.

The Coronavirus Supplement is disappearing

However bit by bit, single mums are now feeling the pain of the government clawing the $550 supplement back. Reducing it down, and down again, almost to nothing. As a result, single mum families are once again being plunged into poverty.

Single mums – you can help fight to keep the supplement!

There is a new and important petition for you (and your friends and family) to sign to fight to keep the $550 supplement for single mums.

The time is NOW – and we need to get as many signatures as possible.

Not your average single parent petition

You’ll find this petition on the Parliament of Australia website:

Petition EN2087 – The Coronavirus Supplement of $550 per fortnight to be permanent

Andrew Wilke MP will be speaking to the petition in the House of Representatives, and it’s hosted on the Parliament of Australia website.

This is your chance to be heard

Here are the petition details. We urge you to take the time to read and sign the petition, to help secure and strengthen the financial situation of all Australian single mum families.

Petition Of

Australians living with unnecessary financial hardship

Petition title

The Coronavirus Supplement of $550 per fortnight to be made permanent

Reasons

Social security measures were announced on 22 March 2020 resultant in a Coronavirus Supplement of $550 per fortnight to assist struggling Australians without adequate income to support themselves.

This has a transformative outcome for most of Australia’s lowest income households. It brought comfort and assurance of meeting essential costs of living. It also evened the playing field in a country where inequality has been growing.

The health of our nation improved. With sufficient resources,medical appointments occurred, more nutritious and fresh food brought and trips to the dentist became real. Children stayed warm and for six-months they had a childhood like their mates. Cars were safely back on the road; study was underway and planning for a future could happen. It brought safety for women and children who had the financial capacity to leave domestic abuse. Mature women, who had become the face of homelessness, could live with hope and dignity.

A permanent increase will not only benefit individuals’ well-being, but also support the broader economy both as we recover from the pandemic and in its aftermath. It will also better serve the next generation and long-term future of Australia.

The Action

Permanently add $550 per fortnight to the nine eligible claimant categories as announced on 22nd March 2020.

Extend eligibility for the $550 supplement to Carers Payment, and Disability Support Payment and Temporary Visa applicants.