The Albanese Labor Government will continue its positive agenda to boost economic inclusion and tackle disadvantage by establishing an Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth will appoint the members of the legislated Committee, which will be established in an interim capacity before the end of the year.
The Albanese Government will continue to work constructively and cooperatively with Members and Senators across the parliament who seek to get wages moving, boost economic inclusion and tackle disadvantage.
The Committee progresses the Albanese Labor Government’s guiding principles to create a better Australia by leaving no one behind and holding no one back.
It will have up to 12 members, including a Chair, and will provide advice to Government on economic inclusion, including policy settings, systems and structures, and the adequacy, effectiveness and sustainability of income support payments ahead of every Federal Budget.
The work of the committee will be informed by input from Treasury, the Department of Social Services and the Department of Finance.
The Committee will include social security academic experts, representatives from key relevant advocacy organisations, unions, business peak bodies, the philanthropic sector and economists.
High-level recommendations and findings of the Committee will be released publicly at least two-weeks prior to each Federal Budget. The findings will not be binding on Government.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the Committee will help inform considerations in the lead up to each Budget.
“As a Labor Government, we will always work to support the most vulnerable in our society,” Dr Chalmers said.
“We want to create a society where everyone has the opportunity to contribute and Australians aren’t left behind.”
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said the Committee would bring together a diverse range of experts to give important advice to Government to assist tackling disadvantage.
“This will be an important resource to assist in tackling systemic disadvantage and economic inclusion, including examining the adequacy of income support payments,” Minister Rishworth said.
“I look forward to new creative solutions to deal with the systems and structures that are barriers for those facing disadvantage.”