UnitingCare Australia has backed calls for the Federal Government to extend the coronavirus supplementary payment to all people in Australia in need, including people seeking asylum and those on temporary visas.

UnitingCare Australia welcomed the Government’s announcement that existing and new recipients of the JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance jobseeker, Parenting Payment, Farm Household Allowance and Special Benefit would receive a $550 supplement each fortnight for six months.

However, at this critical time, we believe it is important this financial support is extended to everyone in the country who is in need, particularly those who have no access to any form of safety net or to Medicare because of their visa status.

The President of the Uniting Church in Australia, Dr Deidre Palmer, has written to the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison MP, seeking assurances that all people currently living in Australia, who have no means to return to home countries and no income as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, receive adequate income and healthcare support.

The Uniting Church has also written to its members to encourage them to contact their local Members of Parliament to remind them of our duty to support the most vulnerable, particularly people facing destitution in our country as a result of the current circumstances.

Click here to view the Uniting Church Australia’s response and their letter to the Prime Minister.