In February, the Government will attempt to pass two Bills designed to dismantle our Social Security System.
The AUWU is organising events across the country to raise public awareness and build a movement against the government’s cruel attacks.
Below are a list of events already organised:
Melbourne: 1pm, Outside State Library of Victoria
Bendigo: 1pm, outside the Bendigo Library, 259 Hargreaves St
Sydney: 1pm, Belmore Park (https://www.facebook.com/events/149947185788752/)
Adelaide: 1pm, 4/2 Lily St, Goodwood SA (https://www.facebook.com/events/1182272091906873)
Brisbane: 10am, 3/601 Coronation Dr, Toowong QLD 4066 (https://www.facebook.com/events/324626621382646/)
Hervey Bay: 1pm, Boat Harbour Drive near the Pialba Motel (https://www.facebook.com/events/1795712717398080/)Share our facebook page here to help get the word out.
If you would like to hold an event in your local area, please contact the AUWU at comms@unemployedworkersunion.com. We will be happy to send you materials and help you promote it. Even if you could spare 30 minutes to hand out our leaflet, it would be greatly appreciated.
WHAT WE ARE FIGHTING
The government are launching some of the most serious ever launched against the unemployed. These include:
– Significantly expanding the dangerous Work for the Dole forced labour program
– Extend and expand discredited cashless welfare program
– Increase waiting period for Newstart, cutting payments by $540 for new applicants
– Increase financial penalties for unemployed
– Give private job agencies complete power to make compliance decisions, taking away government oversight and the unemployed’s right to review
If passed, unemployed Australians will be forced to do whatever their job agency wants in order to remain on Newstart, no matter how unreasonable their request. It is the privatisation of our social security system. It is kicking the unemployed when they are down.
HOW TO FIGHT BACK
As part of our National Day of Action, the AUWU is encourage our members to participate in #OperationFebruaryFlood by contacting your local Senator urging them to vote down the Welfare Reform Bill when it is discussed on 5 February. The vote is tight so if we get one Senator to change their mind we can defeat this Bill! 
