Local community engages political candidates with tough questions on poverty solutions

Today on Monday, 14 October, political candidates outlined their plans that would affect the lives of over 38,000 Canberrans living in poverty, at the Anti-Poverty Week Community forum. Organised by the ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) and Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn, the forum highlighted how the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, housing crisis and rising inequality are impacting local individuals, families and communities living in poverty. 

Despite the ACT’s reputation for high average incomes, significant levels of poverty and inequality persist within the community. In some Canberra suburbs, as many as one in five children aged 0-14 years are living below the poverty line, highlighting the urgent need for action to address this growing issue.

At the forum, Minister Emma Davidson (ACT Greens), Minister Yvette Berry (Australian Labor Party), Thomas Emerson (Independents for Canberra) and Mark Parton MLA (Canberra Liberals) gathered to discuss how their parties, if elected, would address the growing issue of poverty in the ACT. Over fifty people from the community and community sector organisations were present to ask questions of the candidates and voice their priorities for tackling poverty.  Some of the question themes included how health, education, housing and welfare systems can work together to address correlated factors of poverty in the ACT and sought the parties’ commitment to dramatically expanding income-based rental properties, as well as appropriate funding for community sector organisations to address the needs for food relief and other essentials.

Additionally, the event featured a keynote address by Associate Professor Ben Phillips from the ANU Centre for Social Research and Methods, who articulated how poverty and financial stress manifests in Canberra and what can be done to alleviate it.

Lucy Hohnen, CEO of St Vincent de Paul Society Canberra/Goulburn said, “At Vinnies we are supporting an ever-increasing number of people experiencing hardship and homelessness. Our ACT Election Statement calls on all parties to address a range of important issues impacting our community - from ensuring adequate social and community housing, to committing to making domestic energy more affordable. These are serious issues affecting Canberrans coming to us for assistance.

Regardless of the composition of the new government following Saturday’s ACT elections, it is crucial they prioritise policies that uplift the most vulnerable in our society. This includes not only providing direct support for those facing hardship but also strengthening the community organisations that provide that social safety net. Long term solutions addressing systemic issues including homelessness, poverty and social inequity are key to ensuring no one is left behind.”

Dr Devin Bowles, CEO, ACT Council of Social Services (ACTCOSS) said, “Too many Canberrans are struggling to afford the basics like food and shelter. Income support rates are simply too low, housing is unaffordable and unattainable and community services underfunded and overstretched – leaving some families one crisis away from homelessness. We need decisive and urgent action.

At a minimum, the federal government must raise the rate of income support payments to at least $82 a day. Additionally, the ACT Government must increase social housing to 10% of all housing stock by 2036. And finally, the ACT Government must commit to increased investment in its community sector, to keep pace with growing demand and population growth and to ameliorate historic under resourcing.”

This community forum was organised during the Anti-Poverty Week (13-19 October 2024). Anti-Poverty Week supports the Australian community to increase understanding of poverty and how to take action collectively to end it. Poverty exists. Poverty hurts us all. We can all do something about it.

Authorised by Dr Devin Bowles for the ACT Council of Social Service

 

Media contact:

Nikita Nair, Senior Media and Communications Officer, St Vincent De Paul Canberra/Goulburn nikita.nair@vinnies-cg.org.au

Dr Devin Bowles, CEO, ACT Council of Social Services