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‘Insulting’: Australians react to Barnaby Joyce’s financial ‘struggles’

<<enter caption here>> on February 26, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. Former National Party leader Barnaby Joyce resigned from the position last week after it was revealed he had separated from his wife and was expecting a child with his former media adviser Vikki Campion.
Barnaby Joyce says he struggles on a $211,000 salary. Source: Getty

Despite earning a $211,000 salary, Barnaby Joyce has said he’s struggling to support his two families.

In an interview with The Courier Mail, Joyce shared his financial woes in a bid to explain why Newstart payments needed to be increased.

“It’s not that I’m not getting money it’s just that it’s spread so thin,” he said.

“I’m just saying these circumstances have made me more vastly attuned…it’s just a great exercise in humility going from deputy prime minister to watching every dollar you get.”

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Joyce explained he’s renting a duplex (without a dishwasher) for $415 a week.

“There is a reason for that and that’s basically what I can afford. You do become a lot more mindful.”

He even explained his “big thrill” is having a cup of coffee.

It’s this financial pressure that’s made Joyce more understanding of the stresses of those living off $555.70-a-fortnight Newstart payments, or $600 if they have dependent children.

“I’m not just going to follow the Zeitgeist on this. I’m not going to shut up because it’s politically correct,” he said.

“We’ve got to have a more honest conversation about how this actually works.”

“If I don’t raise the issue then I’m a coward. It would probably help my career if I shut up.”

Twitter reacts

Twitter users didn’t think Joyce’s comments were appropriate.

“Just to put Barnaby Joyce’s financial ‘struggles’ into perspective. Says he’s flat broke on a $211,000 wage. The median wage is $65,000. Minimum wage $38,000. Newstart is $14,500.”

Twitter users react to Barnaby Joyce's financial woes. Source: Getty
Twitter users react to Barnaby Joyce's financial woes. Source: Getty

Others said it was simply a media stunt.

Twitter users react to Barnaby Joyce's financial woes. Source: Getty
Twitter users react to Barnaby Joyce's financial woes. Source: Getty

Another user said Joyce’s comments were ‘insulting’.

The Newstart debate

The greens and the Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS) have been pushing for a $75-a-week increase to Newstart, or dole payments.

But the Liberals have been batting away those calls, saying the unemployment benefit will continue to be adjusted with inflation every six months.

Liberal backbenchers warn increasing the dole would have a major implication for Australia’s bottom line (Deloitte estimated ACOSS’ proposal to lift the payment by $75 a week would cost the federal budget $3.3 billion per year) at a time when there is a need for strong fiscal management.

Another Liberal MP, Julian Leeser, said the best thing the government could do is to get people off Newstart and into jobs.

But it seems the Libs are split, with two other backbenchers, and now Barnaby Joyce, joining the calls for increases to the rate of welfare payments.

Even One Nation leader Pauline Hanson believes the $40-a-day payment is too low.

ACOSS welcomed Joyce’s support.

“What we need to be focusing on here is the harsh reality for people on Newstart,” ACOSS Senior Advisor on Social Security, Charmaine Crowe, said.

“Our survey of people on Newstart, released today, shows that 84 per cent are skipping meals, with nearly half of people skipping more than five meals a week.”

“An urgent increase of $75 a week is the absolute minimum we need after 25 years without a real increase.”

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