Election delay provides opportunities for a caring Federal Budget

The delay in announcing the Federal Election caused by weather provides the Albanese Government with an ideal opportunity for the Federal Budget on 25 March to truly address the nation’s cost-of-living and housing crises and other challenges affecting people living below the poverty line. 

St Vincent de Paul Society’s National President, Mark Gaetani, referenced the Society’s Pre Budget submission to the Government that identified the need to increase working age payments, Commonwealth Emergency Relief funding and the No Interest Loans Scheme to help people meet their everyday expenses.  

‘The marked increase in demand for assistance is being experienced right across the Society and by other charities,’ Mr Gaetani said. 

‘We note that the latest Newspoll says 83 per cent of respondents support or strongly support more Government spending to help Australians with cost-of-living pressures. 

‘The key recommendations in our submission are also supported by the latest report to Government by the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee.  

‘This highly regarded group again calls for a substantial increase in the base rates of JobSeeker and related working age payments, regular reviews of the relationship between working age payments levels and widely accepted measures of community living standards, including wages, and a further increase in the rate of Commonwealth Rent Assistance. 

‘Many people living in poverty are already receiving the combined support of government agencies and charities.’ 

Mr Gaetani said the Society has analysed these needs and brought them together in a suite of policies, themed Justice & Compassion, which it will release when the election date is announced. 

‘Justice & Compassion expands on our pre-Budget submission, outlining how changes to welfare and housing could lift a significant number of people out of poverty.  

'Our analysis over the past decade identifies key issues that are driving persistent levels of poverty and disadvantage.  

‘These include a lack of affordable housing (for both renting and buying); limited social housing options; unfunded or insufficient levels of government-funded programs (housing, homelessness); the prohibitive costs of living; and inadequate income support payments (JobSeeker, Youth Allowance etc).’ 

Mr Gaetani said, ‘Based on our direct experiences with people unable to meet the rising costs of living, all these areas require urgent attention. Many people living in poverty are already receiving the combined support of government agencies and charities.’  

He added, ‘This last Budget before Australians vote gives just enough space for the Government to prioritise expenditure in ways that address some of society's main injustices. We hope the wellbeing of our most disadvantaged community members will be top of mind and that funding decisions will be made accordingly.’