University of Wollongong student Imogen Todd says cuts to Youth Allowance benefits will adversely affect her finances and mental health.
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"Currently I'm doing my last placement for my degree, so I'm actually working for free, full-time," the Farmborough Heights resident, 22, said.
"I did try to work on top of that and was doing seven days a week, but that took a massive toll on my mental health.
"I'm relying on these payments to actually live at the moment, and it's just not sustainable. Next week when the cuts go through, I'm only going to be able to get $550 a fortnight.
"I'm lucky that I live at home, but I still have bills I need to pay, and I still have a future that I want to save for. And I can't do that."
The Tomorrow Movement says millions of young people face cuts to income support payments for those on JobSeeker and other welfare payments next week.
Therefore on Friday, as part of the No Turning Back National Day of Action, young protestors across the country, including a group in Wollongong, demanded the Morrison Government implement a Climate Jobs Guarantee as part of the COVID-19 recovery.
"We want welfare payments to be above the poverty line," Tomorrow Movement Wollongong lead Maneesha Todd said.
"Now we're in economic recession, and the Illawarra has some of the highest rates of unemployment in the state, particularly for young people.
"And we want the government to actually invest in creating jobs that would help the economy, but also address the climate crisis."
There will be a $300-a-fortnight cut to the coronavirus supplement - added to JobSeeker, student and parenting benefits - on September 25.
Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator Michaelia Cash said the Morrison Government recognises this continues to be a challenging time for those looking for work.
"(The government) encourages jobseekers to access the full range of assistance available to them - including access to skills training, assistance for other work preparation activities and referral to relevant support services - including mental health services, if required," she said.
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Brendan Crabb
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
