ACOSS urges increase in Newstart payments THE federal government has been urged to increase the single unemployment benefit by $50 a week in this year's budget to show it is serious about tackling poverty. The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) used its national conference in Adelaide on Monday to call for the increase in the Newstart allowance. Its argument drew considerable support, with both Labor Senator Doug Cameron and Greens Senator Rachel Siewert telling the conference an increase was needed. ACOSS chief executive Cassandra Goldie said the government must increase the allowance to deal with worsening levels of poverty across the country. One in eight people are living in poverty in Australia, including one in six children. This is an indictment on our nation," Dr Goldie said. People who are out of paid work and on the lowest payments are among those at highest risk. Senator Cameron said it was important for ordinary Australians who were down on their luck to get a fair go. "That's what we should be about, a fair go," he said. The Newstart allowance is the antithesis of a fair go. It is not consistent with Labor's values and principles. Senator Siewert said there was growing community recognition the current Newstart allowance of $35 a day was impossible to live on. "Anything less than a $50 a week increase in this budget for everyone on Newstart will be a missed opportunity to immediately lift people out of poverty," she said. Senator Siewert also called on the government to reverse its recent decision to shift some single parents to Newstart, a move which would cut their benefits. Opening the ACOSS conference, South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill said his government would ask consumers for ideas on how to cut the cost of living. He released a consultation paper to consider measures to help families with household expenses and also life-changing events like having a baby or a health crisis. "I know that many South Australians are struggling with cost of living pressures," the premier said.