The 2013 Single Parent Election Comparison Table
Single Parent Election Quick-Guide
SingleMum.com.au | 05 September 2013
Wondering which political party is offering
the best deal for single parents?
Are you confused about who to vote for in the Federal Election this weekend? Wondering which political party is offering the best deal for single parents – but worried that it’s all just political spin anyway? Fear not! Now even the most time-poor single parent can compare the big single parent election questions to make a more informed choice on Election Day this Saturday.
We’ve combed the media for off-the-cuff pollie quotes, political party website policies, and of course utilised the invaluable NCSMC/CSMC Political Party Questionnaire to make an across-the-board comparison table for Labor, the Coalition (Liberal/Nationals), Greens and Democrats.
Due to disillusion with the major parties, in this election there is a large number of independents and fringe parties. These new candidates and parties are unlikely to have success in the House of Reps but could possibly obtain balance of power in the Senate – so particular care in the Senate voting should be taken.
Newstart (a.k.a “the Dole”), Child Support, Housing – the politicians replies (or side-steps!) are all here for you to ponder – but like anything else, don’t trust everything you read, weigh up the pros and cons – and remember that in the end only you can decide what the right vote is for you and your kids.
Brace yourself single mums and dads – it’s another Federal election, and it’s not going to be pretty…
Labor Party | Liberal Party (Coalition) | Greens | Democrats | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Go to ALP website | Go to the Liberal Party website | Go to The Greens website | Go to the Democrats website | |
| Newstart (Primary Carer) |  Intend to roll-back Newstart to Parenting Payment Single |  No indication of change | Raise Newstart by $90 | Support Newstart increase |
| School Kids Bonus* | Retain | Scrapping | Support retention | Support retention |
| Family-flexible jobs | Paid parental scheme in place No further improvements to current system | Paid parental leave scheme | Support employees obtaining more stability & flexibility in casual jobs | Cut tax rate for first 2yrs of new job Support for Grandparents providing child care for working sole parent |
| Study support | Retain current system Retain JET* at current rates (recently decreased) | No policy | Support reducing fees | Support current system |
| Housing | Retain current system Retain NRAS* | No policy | Support increase housing availability Increase homeless services | Support current system |
| Child Care | Retaining recently increased Child Care Rebate Trialing more flexible hours | Child Care review to be undertaken in 6 months if elected | Support increase & improve to reduce waiting lists | Support current system |
| Child Support | No planned improvements to current system | No policy | Support extra funding to pursue non-payers Support review | Will advocate a full Senate review of the Child Support Scheme |
| Family Law | Family law amendments implemented. Investigating legal cost reduction. No Legal Aid increase at this time | No policy | Support increase to Legal Aid funding Support removing “shared care” presumption | Support increase to Legal Aid funding |
| Carbon Tax* | Retained but reduced | Scrapping | Support undetermined | Support undetermined |
* The Schoolkids Bonus currently provides $410 per annum for primary school students and $820 per annum for secondary school student.
* JET – Jobs Education and Training Child Care Fee Assistance provides extra help with the cost of approved child care – costs to users dramatically increased this year and was limited to a shorter period.
* National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) is a $4.5 billion Labor Government initiative to stimulate the supply of up to 50,000 new, more affordable rental dwellings by June 2016.
* If the Carbon Tax was successfully removed, “electricity prices would drop 10 percent and gas bills would decrease by nine percent” (Tony Abbot).
Sources
National Council of Single Mothers and their Children (NCSMC) & Council of Single Mothers and their Children (CSMC) Australian Greens response
NCSMC & CSMC Australian Labor Party response
NCSMC & CSMC Australian Democrats response
ALP Website
Liberal Website
The Greens Website
The Democrats Website
Who are you voting for? Make an election comment below!
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