“Poverty is a national waste as well as individual waste”

Gough Whitlam, 1969 election campaign

This Anti-Poverty Week millions of Australians have been left behind by the Government – less than a week after delivering its budget.

Federal Member for Blair, Shayne Neumann MP said residents across Ipswich, the Somerset Region and Karana Downs area were experiencing the effects of the most severe economic crisis in almost a century.
 
“We are told that 160,000 Australians are expected to lose jobs between now and Christmas, with regional areas hit the hardest,” Mr Neumann said.
 
“There are simply not enough jobs for everyone who needs one, and not enough support for those who have lost jobs.

“The number of people receiving some form of unemployment benefit has almost doubled to 15,156 people in the local region since December 2019, when it was 8,719 people.

“With the Coronavirus supplement reduced by $300 and ending altogether on 31 December 2020, there are at least 21,451 people in our own region who will be living below the poverty line in the new year.

“The Budget had nothing to offer many of those on JobSeeker who are aged over 35 years.”

Hunger relief charity, Foodbank reports that more than one in five Australians have experienced food insecurity over the past 12 months, with charities and emergency relief providers overwhelmed by a surge in demand for services – with one in three accessing emergency relief for the first time.

“The Government refuses to provide certainty to about 13,000 local people on JobSeeker, who will lose another $250 a fortnight when Newstart returns to the old base rate from 31 December 2020.

“In addition, the Budget failed the charity sector, which employs one in ten Australians, and is having to stand down staff while demand for charitable assistance soars.”
 
Mr Neumann said poverty effects everyone, regardless of whether they live above or below the pverty line.

“When a child doesn’t have a roof over their head, or goes hungry, they cannot do their homework, complete their education and reach their potential.
 
“They cannot participate economically or socially in our community.
 
“Poverty means we are all diminished as a nation.
 
“The Government missed a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address these issues in its Budget
 
“It should begin by providing certainty for Australians on JobSeeker beyond Christmas by delivering a permanent increase.”

Anti-Poverty Week runs from 11-17 October 2020