St Vincent de Paul Society ABN: 68 879 107 149
Vinnies tells Govt: Bite the bullet on benefits Anti-Poverty Week Media Release
Mon 12th October 2009
The St Vincent de Paul Society calls on the Federal Government in Anti-Poverty week to address the glaring inequality in pension and benefits in Australia. National President, Mr Syd Tutton, said: “Thirty-two dollars and fifty cents a day doesn’t get you very far, especially after paying for a roof over your head. This is the single unemployment benefit in Australia; well below any reasonable estimate of the poverty line. “Sole Parents and Unemployed People together make up to 60% of those we assist. In the Federal Budget earlier this year they were left out in the cold, failing to receive the income increases they badly needed. They continue to be forgotten.” Dr John Falzon, National Council CEO, noted: “According to a recent OECD report Australia has among the lowest unemployment benefits in the developed world and 55% of jobless households are living in poverty. A single adult unemployed worker now receives only 68% of the single aged pension. “People who have been pushed out of the labour market need an adequate income if they are to have any chance of being job-ready. “While we will always be there to lend a helping hand, people should not be forced to rely on charity. They should be entitled to an adequate form of social security as a matter of justice. “It’s time for the Government to bite the bullet and commit to fixing this basic inequality by increasing unemployment benefits and sole parent pensions. “We also call on a Government committed to Social Inclusion to abandon punitive approaches to disadvantaged families such as the threat of payment suspensions. “It’s not just a matter of food and shelter. It’s a matter of dignity.”
Contact Dr John Falzon 0421332247 Anti-poverty Week is 11-17 October. Visit http://www.antipovertyweek.org.au/index.html .