The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has called on all parties in the upcoming federal election to commit to a fairer Canberra by backing policies that support those who have the least.
Using national analysis and ACT-focused research, ACTCOSS has identified six policy priorities that it believes will give a fair go to people on low incomes and those disadvantaged by current systems.
ACTCOSS will hold a 2022 Federal Election Forum with candidates from registered parties and Independents on Thursday, 28 April. ACTCOSS will challenge candidates on social justice priorities, and ask them to reflect on community concerns through a local lens.
ACTCOSS’s 2022 federal election priorities are:
Income Support
Increase the rate of JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, and other income support payments to at least $70 a day, further supplement the incomes of people with disability and single parents, and index to CPI and wages.
ACTCOSS CEO, Dr Emma Campbell said: “ACTCOSS fully supports the Raise the Rate for Good Campaign. Every year, more Canberrans are finding it impossible to afford rent and food, cover transport costs, and pay for other essentials like health and utilities.
“The current rate of JobSeeker of just $46 per day forces individuals and families – including children – into poverty. Currently, an estimated 38,000 people – nearly one in every ten Canberrans – live in poverty. About one quarter of these are children.
Housing Security
Increase national social housing stock by 25,000 homes per year and build at least 425 new social housing dwellings per year in Canberra in line with the best research and the Everybody’s Home campaign.
“Poverty in the ACT is exacerbated by the current housing crisis,” Dr Campbell said. “We have a shortfall of over 3,100 social housing dwellings, and need at least 3,400 more dwellings for affordable renting. Homelessness rates in the ACT will continue to grow without appropriate investment.
“This is the responsibility of a federal government alongside state and territory governments.”
Quality Community Services
Provide adequate federal funding for services provided by the community sector, including aged care, disability, homelessness, and domestic violence services, ensuring appropriate remuneration of the community sector workforce at rates that are regularly and adequately indexed.
Dr Campbell continued: “The need for vital supports provided through community services has skyrocketed, particularly for those escaping domestic violence, facing homelessness, or struggling with their mental health.
“The shadow of COVID is likely to be long, and community services must be recognised and resourced as part of our national COVID-19 recovery plan. Stronger services mean more resilient communities.”
Fair, fast, inclusive Climate Action
Commit to reducing carbon pollution 75 per cent by 2030 (on 2005 level) and net zero by 2035 by implementing a fair and inclusive plan to achieve the targets.
“The impacts of worsening climate change are also hurting our ACT community through extreme weather and bushfires,” Dr Campbell said. “An inclusive plan to address climate change is needed to improve the lives of people facing disadvantage.”
Self-Determination for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
Begin to address deep and ongoing wrongs inflicted against First Nations people, through commitment to the implementation of all recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody; a constitutionally guaranteed Voice to Parliament; and a commitment to Closing the Gap. Also, raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 14 nationally, as the ACT Government has already committed to doing.
“ACTCOSS also recognises that Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT and across Australia experience some of the worst disadvantage in the world,” Dr Campbell said. “Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT are incarcerated at 19 times the rate of non-Indigenous people. Addressing the serious harm that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people face in this country should be a priority across all government work.”
Revenue
Rescind unaffordable tax cuts for people on higher incomes to invest in public services, and provide support for the people who have the least.
Dr Campbell said: “If we want to achieve just, fair, and equitable outcomes for Canberrans, we need to roll back the commitment to cut tax for people on the highest incomes. Without serious investment in income supports and essential services such as health and housing, we will see an acceleration of poverty alongside poorer wellbeing outcomes for everyone in our community.”
