St Vincent de Paul Society ABN: 68 879 107 149 Unit 4-5 22 Thesiger Court Deakin ACT 2600 PO Box 243 Deakin West ACT 2600 Telephone: (02) 6202 1200 Facsimile: (02) 6285 0159
Media Release
10 Feb 2010 For Immediate Release
“Where’s the respect?” Vinnies asks Government on Quarantining The St Vincent de Paul Society today welcomed the Federal Government’s move to allow people doing it particularly tough to access their Centrelink payments on a weekly, rather than fortnightly, basis. “This is the kind of policy that is both respectful and responsive,” said National Council Chief Executive, Dr John Falzon. “We look forward to seeing more initiatives like this from the Federal Government,” said National President Mr Syd Tutton. “This puts some of the flesh on the bones of the Government’s Homelessness Strategy,” Said Dr Falzon. “Our 40,000 members continue to be alarmed at the persistence of poverty and inequality in Australia. We congratulate Ministers Macklin, Plibersek and Bowen on this move. “We also, however, reiterate our firm opposition to the Government’s plans to roll out compulsory income management. This is a cynical manouevre to get around the Racial Discrimination Act. Compulsory welfare quarantining, be it on the basis of race or class, is neither respectful nor responsive. We are deeply worried about its negative impacts on the lives of vulnerable people and its failure to actually address the causes of poverty and inequality.”
Contact: Dr John Falzon 0421332247