Debate over the JobSeeker payment is threatening to spilt the Labor party ahead of next month's budget, with four backbenchers breaking ranks and signing an open letter calling for a $24 billion increase to the support payment.
Alicia Payne, Louise Miller-Frost, Michelle Ananda-Rajah and Kate Thwaites added their names to the letter composed by the Australian Council of Social Service and published online ahead of it being delivered to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
"In the last twelve months, rents in capital cities have risen by about 22 per cent and food prices have skyrocketed. While everyone in our community is feeling the impact of these cost-of-living pressures, people on income support are going without food and other basics because they have nothing left to cut back on in their budget.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers last week rejected recommendations from the Economic Inclusion Advisory Group that JobSeeker be increased to 90 per cent of the age pension, up from about 70 per cent.
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