Frontline organisations, backed by independent Senator David Pocock, are calling for tightly targeted supports to stop food and housing insecurity spiralling out of control.

The Albanese Government halved the temporary fuel excise this week, but the organisations and crossbench politicians say the government must go further to support vulnerable Australians economically impacted by the Iran war. Higher fuel costs, interest rates, and inflation have ramped up pressure on already stretched household budgets.

“People in my community — from those on fixed incomes like pensioners to emergency services personnel — are finding it harder and harder to get by,” Senator Pocock said.

“For people in remote and regional Australia, those challenges and the impacts of cost increases from the Middle East conflict are even worse.”

Food relief: Situation worse than during COVID

Faced with a spike in demand and operating costs, the food relief sector has called for $5 million in surge funding so they can deliver meals.

OzHarvest is already seeing increased demand for food relief, ACT engagement lead Christine Scott said.

“This new wave of cost-of-living pressures is already driving more people to seek help. Demand is coming from people from all walks of life, including those with jobs and mortgages.

 “The impact of the escalating conflict is driving up fuel and operating costs, and it’s clear that this is a double hit for our sector. More household are seeking food relief at the same time as it becomes more expensive for us to deliver it.

“Food relief is an essential safety net, especially during times like this. OzHarvest and the food relief sector are asking for immediate government support so that we can continue to meet the existing and rising demand from households doing it tough, especially through this challenging time.”

HelpingACT is under extreme pressure due to high demand for food relief, founder/chair Mohammed Ali said: its spending on food for vulnerable families has increased by 25 per cent since last year.

“The current food situation is worse than the situation during COVID,” Mr Ali said. “The fuel crisis has worsened the situation, as many families cannot pick up their weekly food from our Food Resource Centre. Volunteers have to do home deliveries, paying for petrol from their own pockets.”

Demand for Foodbank’s services has increased by 6 per cent in the past fortnight alone, while their operating expenses have also increased. Foodbank Victoria’s fruit and vegetable costs have gone up 10 per cent, while volunteers who pack orders cannot afford to fill their tanks to get to warehouses.

Homelessness: Cannot meet demand

Homelessness Australia said homelessness services cannot meet demand: services must be delivered in person, but frontline workers are on low incomes and cannot absorb additional expenses.

They call for surge funding to provide brokerage services for tenants in rental arrears to prevent evictions; employ more staff so they can see more clients; and provide additional payments to workers who pay more to travel to work.

The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) has called on the government to lift income support payments such as JobSeeker and Youth Allowance to at least $600 per week (above the poverty line); increase the Remote Area Allowance for communities facing acute price spikes; recognise frontline community services as critical services, and fund them to manage rising operational costs; and exempt frontline community workers from fuel rationing or transport restrictions.

Pocock: Tax gas export revenue to fund cost-of-living relief

Senator Pocock argues that a 25 per cent tax on gas export revenue could fund cost-of-living relief, raising $5 million in 2 ½ hours. The Housing Australia Future Fund spends $500m per year — which the tax would generate in 10 days. Although Australia is one of the world’s largest gas exporters, it collects less revenue from the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax than from an excise on beer.

Senator Pocock also called on the government to do more to stop price gouging across the supply chain; and to work with the states and territories to make public transport free for pensioners and those on fixed incomes, and to offer discounts for the community, saving fuel for farmers and the regions. 

He believes the government must consider additional targeted support measures for essential workers who cannot take public transport, tradies, parents dropping children off at school, and shift workers, alongside longer term solutions such as a viable second hand EV market and help with the energy transition to rooftop solar and home batteries. 

“We are confronting a huge challenge, but it is also an opportunity to provide not only immediate support but longer-term policy changes that set us up better for the future,” Senator Pocock said.

“We’ve seen the Albanese Government move to temporarily halve the fuel excise which will help many Australians, but this support must go further for those most in need. The Prime Minister repeatedly promises to leave no Australian behind, now is the time to deliver on that.”

Mohammed Ali: Governments must act

Mr Ali believes neither the federal nor the ACT government has fully understood the gravity of the situation.

“At the federal level, we have not seen effective remedial measures: family payments and other allowances have not been able to meet the rising cost of living, leaving the vulnerable in precarious circumstances. The housing crisis continues, with no meaningful solutions on offer. If we don’t think of a serious concerted policy response at this stage, when will see one? We are in a miserable situation, and the time to DO something is NOW.”

ACT government food relief has been partly effective, but unable to address the issue, Mr Ali said.

“Charities like HelpingACT and street pantries who are at the forefront keep trying to win the attention of government, to no avail.”

HelpingACT demands the government investigate the food crisis more deeply; provide significant funds to address the food situation in the coming budget; recognise the role of street pantries in combating the food crisis; and set up a discretionary food and fuel fund.

“Australia is a rich country and Canberra is a richer city,” Mr Ali said. “We can’t afford to see so many homeless around the city area; we can’t see the number of families facing a food crisis increasing regularly, and new families adding to the queue. This is a recipe for disaster, poor mental health, and poverty. We don’t want to see that happening in Australia and in Canberra.

“It is time to take concrete action and divert resources to the basic issue of living: food and dignity.”