TWO of the St Vincent de Paul Society’s national leaders last week called on whichever side of politics won the Federal election to make a renewed commitment to freeing various groups in Australia from “entrenched disadvantage”.
The society’s national president Syd Tutton listed aged pensioners, young people, those living with a disability, the homeless, and asylum seekers as amongst those “being pushed to the edges of Australian society”.
National chief executive officer Dr John Falzon said “it was important to remember the economy meant everyone; not just the prosperous” and warned policies such as compulsory income management were counterproductive, delivering only “disempowerment”.
Mr Tutton said the Federal election provided a good opportunity to reflect on what really mattered to the people of Australia.
“For our members, who see the Australian face of exclusion every day, we long for an Australia free from entrenched disadvantage,” he said.
“We stand with aged pensioners, people living with a disability, unemployed people, low-paid families, young people, sole parents, people experiencing homelessness or housing stress, the First Peoples of this country and all who are marginalised.
“We also long to see an end to the senseless demonisation of asylum seekers.
“To those who refer to these people as illegal, we point out that they are acting legitimately in applying for asylum here.”
Dr Falzon noted the Labor Government had made “historical commitments” in such areas as homelessness, social exclusion and social housing.
However, he said the society had grave concerns about the policy of compulsory income management, “imposed first on Aboriginal Australians and now on low-income Australians”.
“This policy is embraced by both sides of politics,” he said.
“It is unjust. It delivers only disempowerment.
“We are also saddened to see unemployed Australians and sole parents being denied much-needed increases to their social security payments.
“We reject any calls for a more punitive approach to people doing it tough.”
Dr Falzon said the election had been about the economy.
“But we must remember that the economy means everyone; not just the prosperous,” he said.
“It is estimated that at least 12 per cent of the population are living in a state of permanent recession.”
