THE St Vincent de Paul Society in Queensland is bracing for a huge increase in demand for its services following the collapse of Ansett airlines and a downturn in tourism.
And in Canberra, the Church’s peak welfare body warned of a bleak jobs outlook and called on all major political parties to be upfront with their policies on employment.
‘St Vinnies is gearing up to help the growing number of new poor families in Queensland,’ the society’s state president Tim O’Connor said.
‘This follows estimates that up to 50,000 workers from allied tourist industries could face unemployment after the Ansett collapse and the downturn in tourism.’
Mr O’Connor said the return of some Ansett flights would make little difference overall and the society expected a crisis in four to six weeks.
