On-going assistance needed to support our most vulnerable

The St Vincent de Paul Society NSW welcomes measures in the 2023 Federal Budget that will provide assistance to people struggling with cost-of-living pressures.

“We welcome the announcement to raise the age of the single parenting payment from 8 to 14, which corrects an historic wrong that has resulted in people living in poverty over the past decade,” said Yolanda Saiz, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW CEO.

“The announcement to retrofit social housing properties will improve energy efficiency and living standards, while those eligible for energy bill relief will be better off as we head into the colder months.

“However, more is needed to address the severe cost of living pressures facing the most vulnerable members of our community.

“The St Vincent de Paul Society has been one of many organisations calling for a substantive increase to the rate of JobSeeker and other income support payments over many years.

“We are seeing first-hand the devastating effects of the cost-of-living crisis with 30% of people seeking assistance from our members in NSW doing so for the first time.

“Four in five people are coming to us for support with food, while one in three rely on the JobSeeker payment, which the Government’s own Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee found to be seriously inadequate.

“Increasing income support payments by $40 a fortnight comes out to $2.85 a day – greater action is needed to give people the basics needed to live with dignity.

“The Federal Government needs to commit to on-going assistance for our most vulnerable.”

The Society NSW additionally welcomes the announcement to expand bulk-billing GP consultations and doubling the amount of medication available through prescriptions.

Media contact:          Robert Crosby  | 0417 446 430