Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey is calling on relevant organisations and people with first-hand experience of intergenerational welfare dependency throughout the Grey electorate to participate in the current inquiry being conducted by a special Parliamentary Select Committee.
Mr Ramsey, who sits on the committee, said the inquiry is currently taking submissions into the impact on communities, families and individuals of intergenerational welfare dependence.
“Local communities right across Australia are being challenged by Intergenerational Welfare Dependence,” he said.
“The committee is due to produce its final report by 12 April 2019.
“It is really important we access the experiences and anecdotal evidence on the impact of welfare dependence of families and outcomes for children.
“We all know anecdotal stories about children who grow up in a household where neither parents nor grandparents have worked. Of course they are influenced by what they see around them.
“We need to find a way to break the cycle and find a path for these young people to grow up and fully participate in society.
“The committee will undertake to examine the reasons for welfare dependence, with particular focus on why some families require welfare assistance for short periods only and why others become ‘trapped’ in the system.
“We are looking for organisations that are working on the ground with families and ascertain if welfare dependency limits the opportunities for individuals and children to participate fully in society.”
Hearings are being held in Canberra in September.
Submissions can be made to https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House/Intergenerational_Welfare_Dependence/IGWD
Media Contact: Leonie Lloyd-Smith 08 8633 1744
September 12 2018