Are the budget welfare cuts fair?

Young parents, the long-term unemployed and disability support pensioners will have to meet strict work and training requirements or risk having their payments cut under changes outlined in the budget. Ms Gillard defended the cuts, saying 'direct' dollars are not being taken away from families.But the Australian Council of Social Service says a $56 per week reduction in payments for some single parents with teenagers and a $43 per week cut to payments for unemployed 21-year-olds are unnecessary and counter-productive. And Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey says the budget will leave the families worse off, while failing to make real savings.

Young parents, the long-term unemployed and disability support pensioners will have to meet strict work and training requirements or risk having their payments cut under changes outlined in the budget.