Federal Member for Blair, Shayne Neumann said Scott Morrison will cut unemployment support by $100 a fortnight after Christmas.

The Morrison Government cuts will affect at least 13,000 people living in Ipswich, Somerset Region and Karana Downs area.

“The Government expects 1.8 million Australians to be on unemployment support by the end of the year, so now is not the time to cut unemployment support,” Mr Neumann said.

“There are simply not enough jobs for every person who needs one.

“Cutting unemployment support too soon will make the recession longer and deeper.

“Unemployment is devastating and unfair, and it will cast a long shadow over our local families for many years to come.”

Mr Neumann said the loss of unemployment support will hurt the local economy, because people receiving social security payments tend to spend in local businesses.

“It’s been a tough year already and the last thing our local businesses need is further belt-tightening before Christmas.

“That is just what will happen for families, knowing they will have $100 less in their pockets after Christmas.

“Cutting unemployment and economic support will not just place local people who have lost their jobs at risk of hardship and poverty, it jeopardises jobs.

“How many jobs will be lost when Scott Morrison prematurely cuts unemployment and economic support?”