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Here's which Centrelink payments are going up and by how much

Millions of Australians receiving Centrelink payments will see changes to their fortnightly payment rates.

sbs.com.au ·

Here's which Centrelink payments are going up and by how much

Over 5.3 million Australians will see their social security payments rise beginning September 20 under the latest indexation. This $4 billion boost aims to help those on income support with rent, food, and bills. Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek announced the increase will assist Australians in making ends meet. However, the Australian Council of Social Service CEO Cassandra Goldie noted that while every dollar helps, indexation alone is not enough to lift people out of poverty.

Payments for the age pension will increase by up to $36.80, with couples seeing a $55.60 boost. JobSeeker recipients will receive $16.20 for singles and $17.30 for those with children. Parenting Payment rates will also increase, with single recipients gaining $20.90 and couples rising by $14.80. Rent Assistance maximums will increase by $4.40 for singles without children, $5.18 for those with children, and $5.88 for couples.

Youth Allowance for 18-24 year olds will rise by $20.90, and ABSTUDY recipients aged 22 or older will see a $16.20 increase for singles and $17.30 for those with children. Additionally, the deeming rate for financial assets has been raised from 1.25 per cent to 1.75 per cent for singles and couples combined.

Written by urgent.news from SBS News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.

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A 5-year-old boy killed by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip had told his mother that “tanks are next to us” moments before he was shot, according to an investigation by the Israeli military. The boy, identified as Laith Rajab, was shot and killed on January 21 in the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis. The military said on Wednesday that an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Laith’s death found that forces had opened fire on a vehicle that had been driving “erratically” and “aggressively” toward them. The probe found that moments before he was killed, Laith had told his mother that “tanks are next to us,” and that she had replied, “Where? I don’t see them.” The military said that after Laith was shot, forces had found a “suspicious vehicle” nearby and that “it was assessed that the vehicle posed a threat.” The military said that “appropriate recommendations” had been made following the investigation. Laith’s family has disputed the military’s account of the incident. His mother, Ahlam Rajab, told Al Jazeera that her son had been killed by Israeli forces while he was on his way to buy meat for a family barbecue. She said that they had been driving in a civilian vehicle with a white flag and that there had been no attempt to attack Israeli forces. The Israeli military said that it regrets “any harm caused to non-combatants” but that it would not be launching a criminal investigation into Laith’s death. The military said that it operates “in accordance with the laws of war and with great sensitivity toward non-combatants.” The killing of Laith has sparked widespread outrage across the Palestinian territories. Gaza’s health ministry said that a total of 28 people, including 23 children, have been killed by Israeli forces since the start of 2022. The Israeli military has stepped up its attacks on the Gaza Strip in recent weeks, amid a surge in tensions along the border. The escalation in violence has raised fears of another full-scale war in the territory. The Gaza Strip has been under an Israeli and Egyptian blockade since 2007.

·hani.co.kr

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