Shelley James and the Socialist Alliance say Labor is short-changing sole parents

FURIOUS single parents are planning to greet Julia Gillard (pictured, right) at John Curtin College Wednesday after her government slashed their welfare payments.

The PM is in the port city on June 12 for a $125-a-head ALP fundraiser, which will see Ms Gillard go head-to head with left-wing comedian Ben Elton.

Thousands of sole parents were shifted from parenting payments to Newstart earlier this year, cutting payments by up to $110.

Single Parents Action Group spokesperson Shelley James says making parents seek work hurts kids.

“It’s terrible what they’ve done. We’ve had parents leave comments on our Facebook page, saying they are having cereal for dinner.

“They are forcing thousands of families into an underclass system.

“I just find it hard to understand the ALP would do that to the people that supports them.”

The Hilton mother of three says she’s been badgering the PM’s office for months to get answers.

“We would like to meet with her for 15 minutes to discuss our situation.

“Our kids need our time and our help and forcing single parents on to Newstart is forcing children into an underclass of financial struggle.”

Federal Fremantle Socialist Alliance candidate Sam Wainwright says pushing parents off the pension is a kick in the guts.

“In doing this the Gillard government will be forcing these families further into poverty and completing a so-called welfare reform that was started by John Howard,” he says.

“It’s a sad sign of how Labor takes the votes of poorer families for granted and how our society still does not value staying at home with children as real work for the benefit of all.

“Ironically the government will be saving more from this measure than they will raise this year from their watered down mining tax.”

by BRENDAN FOSTER