Proposed welfare legislation leaves migrant groups alarmed

Migrant-community groups say they are alarmed by proposed new laws which would make migrants wait longer to be eligible for welfare payments. The Federal Government has introduced legislation to parliament calling for an additional year of residency to access benefits. The proposed reforms would mean new migrants would need to be residents for three years to access payments, including Newstart and the Youth Allowance. The waiting period has been two years since 1997. Social Services Minister Dan Tehan says significant growth in welfare expenditure means the changes are necessary to secure the future of the welfare system. This feature reveals more details.