United Future welcomes end of benefit discrimination against married couples

United Future revenue spokesperson Gordon Copeland today welcomed assurances received from the Minister of Social Welfare, Steve Maharey, that the existing discrimination against married couples on benefits versus sole parents on benefits will come to an end with effect from this Friday.

“Under the present system a sole parent receives an extra $1,113 per year on the birth of a second child but no payment whatever is made to a married couple when a second baby arrives.

“Plainly that constitutes a discrimination against the married couple because whether you are married or single the arrival of a second baby brings with it extra costs.

“I am pleased that the government has acted, following submissions from United Future, to bring this anomaly to an end,” said Mr Copeland.

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