Media Releases by Senator the Hon Anne Ruston
Urgent support for frontline domestic violence services
The Morrison Government will provide $32.5 million to states and territories to immediately bolster frontline services to protect those most at risk of domestic violence…
Immediate response plan to focus on people with disability during Coronavirus
The Government is committed to ensuring the well-being of Australians with disability are considered as the coronavirus pandemic unfolds. As such, an advisory group has…
Prime Minister – Joint Media Release – $1.1 billion to support more mental health, Medicare and domestic violence services
More help will be given to millions of Australians battling the devastating impacts of coronavirus with a $1.1 billion package which boosts mental health services,…
Mutual Obligations arrangements extended
The Morrison Government will continue the suspension of mutual obligation until 27 April 2020 to support job seekers through this difficult period. As demand remains…
Supporting sole traders through the effects of Coronavirus
The Morrison Government has expanded the eligibility criteria for JobSeeker Payment to support sole traders and Australians who are self-employed if their income is negatively…
Temporary pause on new Cashless Debit Card trial participants
The Morrison Government is placing a temporary pause on placing new eligible participants on to the Cashless Debit Card in all existing trial sites. Minister…
Supporting students through the effects of Coronavirus
The Morrison Government is expanding the eligibility criteria for the fortnightly $550 Coronavirus supplement to Australians receiving student support payments. Minister for Families and Social…
Modernising Australia’s social security system
From today the JobSeeker Payment will progressively combine seven payments into one, replacing Newstart Allowance as the main payment for working-age unemployed people. This is…
Community Services Ministers’ Meeting Communique
Community Services Ministers met via video conference to discuss priorities to improve the safety of children and young people in Australian communities. All Ministers acknowledged…
Deeming rate cut to boost payments for 900,000 Australians
About 900,000 Australians will see an increase to their fortnightly social security payments following the Morrison Government’s decision to reduce deeming rates in response to…
COVID-19 and Australia’s social security system
Australia’s social security system has a number of existing features to support people in the context of COVID-19. At present, Australians who are unable to…
No-interest loans supporting women to leave domestic violence
The Morrison Government is dedicating $20 million to expand the successful No Interest Loan Scheme to help women experiencing domestic violence rebuild their lives to…
Commitment to supporting Australian women on International Women’s Day
The Morrison Government is providing a $2.8 million funding extension for Local Support Coordinators to ensure this support service for victims of domestic and family…
Changes to income reporting on the way
The Morrison Government is delivering on its commitment to simplify the welfare system after Parliament today passed legislation to make the income reporting process easier…
Statement on domestic and family violence
Domestic and family violence is totally abhorrent and unacceptable. It is as simple as that. There are no excuses for it. As a Government, our…
Commitment to improve 1800RESPECT with open procurement
The Morrison Government will conduct an open competitive procurement process to secure a provider to deliver Australia’s sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service…
Improving the National Redress Scheme
The Morrison Government has released its response to the report, Getting the National Redress Scheme right: An overdue step towards justice, of the Joint Select…
Lake Macquarie school wins national disability inclusion competition
Cardiff High School in Lake Macquarie has won the Morrison Government’s Grow Inclusion schools competition that was held to mark International Day of People with…
Local Belrose initiative to drive social change
The Morrison Government is backing-in an innovative Belrose business with a $140,000 investment that will drive social change. Minister for Families and Social Services Anne…
Welfare dependence in Australia continues to fall
The proportion of working-age Australians receiving welfare benefits has fallen to its lowest level in more than 30 years. Department of Social Services analysis of…
National Redress Scheme committed to greater accountability and transparency
The number of institutions participating in the National Redress Scheme has more than doubled as the Morrison Government continues to pressure organisations to sign up.…
Local Mt Evelyn initiative to drive social change
The Morrison Government is backing-in an innovative Mt Evelyn organisation with a $125,000 investment that will drive social change. Knoxbrooke Enterprises Ltd provides employment opportunities…
Welfare recipients to benefit from reporting simplification
The Morrison Government is seeking to overhaul the way welfare recipients report employment income to make the process simpler and to ensure payments are correct.…
Reducing family violence in Australian communities
Community organisations will work directly with men through culturally appropriate initiatives to address the unique challenges in reducing family violence in some of our most…
National Centre of Indigenous Excellence investment to drive social change
The Morrison Government is backing-in an innovative Redfern organisation with a $140,000 investment that will drive social change. Minister for Families and Social Services Anne…