SOCIAL SECURITY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 May 1943, Page 3

SOCIAL SECURITY

UNEMPLOYMENT AND SICKNESS BENEFITS.

PROPOSED LEGISLATION IN AUSTRALIA. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) CANBERRA, May 6. A Bill for non-contributory unemployment and sickness benefits has been prepared by the Federal Treasurer, Mr Chiffley, for submission to the next meeting of Cabinet. The scheme will cost a minimum of £2,000,000 a year for each one per cent of unemployment, plus £6,000,000 to £9,000,000 a year’ for the sickness benefit. With a normal post-war unemployment of 7 per cent,' the cost would be up to £23,000,000.

These estimates are on a basis of an unemployment payment of £2 10s a week for a man with a wife and a child. The drafting of the Bill follows the establishment of a National Welfare Fund of £30,000,000. The peace time unemployment ratio in Australia varies from 3 pex’ cent in times of high prosperity, and was up to 9 pex’ cent in 1939. In the depression of the early 19305, the rate exceeded 30 pex’ cent. In considering the proposed scale of benefits, the Federal Cabinet will have several bases to work on, including that of the New Zealand scheme, which is being carefully studied. The British Beveridge scheme proposes £2 a week for a man and wife, plus 8s for each child.

A new Australian Repatriation Act, which provides increased war pensions and other benefits, comes into operation today. The main benefit is an average increase of 20 per cent in all war pensions.

Other benefits include: Preference to returned service men by Government departments and contractors doing Government work; war pensions and other benefits foi' women’s auxiliaries; the removal of the means test for war widows and the widows or mothers of unmarried service men; pensions are payable to de facto wives at the discretion of the Repatriation Commission.