VINNIES’ national president has called for more assistance for Australians doing it tough after the announcement of budget strategies by both major parties.
Saint Vincent de Paul national president Claire Victory said neither strategy contained enough detail about practical solutions to the housing crisis and homelessness, secure and properly paid work, and inadequate JobSeeker payments, disability pensions, and payments for single parents.
“We’re concerned about Band-Aid solutions that won’t lift 774,000 Australian kids out of poverty and won’t help struggling families,” Ms Victory said.
“Housing is also a major issue – despite a $17.9 billion commitment to infrastructure, there’s a lack of focus on the nation’s housing crisis, which the government’s own National Infrastructure Plan 2021 identified as requiring significantly more investment.
“As our members across Australia well know, cost-of-living pressures are rising rapidly.
“Affording healthy food, paying the rent and utility bills, and putting fuel in the car impact disproportionately on people who are already struggling day to day.”
Ms Victory said while the unemployment rate was low, the true situation was masked by the fact that employment was defined as working one hour or more in the reference week.
“Under-employment, job insecurity and low wages are a huge issue for everyday Australians,” she said.
