Anglicare Australia seeks election commitments for a fairer country
Anglicare Australia has called on the Federal Government and Opposition to sign on to key commitments to make Australia fairer ahead of the Federal Election.
Anglicare Australia Executive Director Kasy Chambers said Australians want action on poverty before tax cuts.
“Both the Government and Opposition have said that their tax cuts will help people meet their everyday costs.
“But the fact is that one-off payments and tax cuts won’t do much to help with the cost of living. Australians know this. That’s why three quarters of them have said they want action on wages and welfare over tax cuts in the latest polling.
“Newstart has been frozen at dangerously low levels for 25 years. We will be looking for commitments from all parties at this election to raise the rate of these payments – and reform them so that they keep pace with the cost of living.
“We also want action on the huge shortfall in social and affordable housing. Just this week, we learned that average rents have gone up in every major city. Australia is becoming a country where only the very wealthy can avoid housing stress,” Ms Chambers said.
Ms Chambers said that the commitments have been outlined in open letters sent by Anglicare Australia to the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader.
“We know what we need to do to make Australia fairer – invest in housing for those in need, create secure jobs, take action on climate change, and raise Newstart.
“If we can afford to spend hundreds of billions on tax cuts, then we can surely afford a safety net, a secure home, and a dignified life for every Australian.” Ms Chambers said.
Anglicare Australia’s open letters have called for:
- Job creation programs, and reform of the Jobactive network
- An increase to Newstart, Youth Allowance, and related payments
- An independent commission to set social security payments
- An investment in affordable and social housing
- A fairer tax system.
The letters can be downloaded from www.anglicare.asn.au.
