Economic Fairness

300,000 Australians are predicted to lose their jobs in the coming year due to the global financial crisis. As Federal Parliament debated the $42bn economic stimulus package, GetUp members emailed key politicians asking for a fair go for the jobless in the package.

Together we achieved a vital win. The Government agreed to double the amount of savings a jobless person can hold on to before qualifying for Government assistance. The longer someone is unemployed, the less likely they are to find work. That's why this is such an important victory - it means hundreds of thousands of Australians who lose their jobs in the financial crisis will receive help sooner, before they hit rock bottom.

After emails from their constituents, The Greens, Nick Xenophon and Steve Fielding all entered fierce negotiations with the Government, demanding the stimulus package help the hundreds of thousands of Australians who will lose their jobs in the financial crisis. We worked closely with all three parties in Canberra - they listened to your concerns and strongly represented them to the Government.

There's still much more work to be done to help those who are currently jobless, and the 300,000 Australians predicted to join them due to the financial crisis. GetUp's campaign for economic fairness is ongoing.