MOSCOW, September 30 (RIA Novosti) – The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights said that two of the Australian government's welfare reforms violate human rights, according to the committee's report.
"The committee has identified two bills that it considers require further examination and for which it will seek further information," the report said.
The two bills in question make unemployed individuals under 30 wait six months for income support and raise the age of those eligible for the benefits to 25.
These measures could potentially breach the right to equality and nondiscrimination.
Australia is party to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights that recognizes the right to an adequate standard of living, including food and shelter. This makes the country’s proposed reforms a potential breach of international obligations.
Australian Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews told the committee the measures were compatible with human rights but failed to provide any explanation about how young people were to afford food and shelter in the six months they would be without benefits.
The Guardian reported Tuesday that Senator Bob Day suggested amending the bill, reducing the waiting period for people under 30 from six months to four weeks, cutting off family tax benefit when the youngest child is 12 instead of six and freezing family tax benefit payments for one year instead of two.
Changes to the bills suggested by Day are due to be introduced to the Senate this week.
