Inquiry into the Extent and Nature of Poverty in Australia

Our submission to the Inquiry into the extent and nature of poverty in Australia.

The St Vincent de Paul Society National Council of Australia emphasises that budgetary restraint should not come at the expense of those in need. Poverty in Australia is a significant issue, with the country having the 15th highest poverty rate out of the thirty-four wealthiest countries in the OECD in 2022.

The Society believes that rising inflation and cost of living pressures affecting low- and middle-income households require urgent action. Evidence shows that single parents, households relying on income support, renters, the long-term unemployed, and people living with disability or ill-health are particularly vulnerable and more likely to be living in poverty.

Recommendations include setting a target to end child poverty by 2030, reviewing and increasing Commonwealth Rent Assistance, reinstating funding to the Status Resolution Support Service, reviewing Parenting Payment (single), dropping the stage 3 tax cuts, indexing income support payments biannually, increasing the earnings threshold of income support recipients and improving case management and employment support services for those who are long-term unemployed.