SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

Labor still undecided on new families plan

Opposition families spokeswoman Jenny Macklin says Labor is still considering whether it will support the federal government's family tax benefit changes.

Labor's social services spokeswoman Jenny Macklin
Jenny Macklin (AAP) Source: AAP

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Skip to article content

The federal opposition is still considering whether to support the government's revised family payments plan as its assesses the impact on Australians.

While welcoming the reversal of last year's tougher measures, Labor's families spokeswoman Jenny Macklin says cutting end-of-year supplements is "huge" - especially for single-income families.

"We'll have to go through our decision making process, but the impacts are very clear," she told ABC radio on Thursday.

Ms Macklin said a sole parent with two teenage children, for example, would receive about $1800 less a year - recovering only $500 through the $10 increase in fortnightly payments.

"These are huge cuts to these families and families will feel the impact," she said.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

She has called on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to "come clean" about how much families will be worse off under the changes.

Crossbench senator Jacqui Lambie says she most likely will not support the changes and took issue with comments made on the issue by Labor.

"Jenny Macklin, it nearly blew me away today when she stood up and she said this is a win," she told ABC TV.

"You are still hitting the most vulnerable people in society."


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world