The Salvation Army in Australia is urging the Federal Government to increase its Newstart allowance for job seekers after research revealed the average recipient is living on just $17 a day after accommodation expenses.
The results of the 2018 Economic and Social Impact Survey of 1267 people who call on Salvation Army services also found that 81 per cent of respondents who are privately renting or paying a mortage are under “extreme housing stress”, paying more than half of their income for housing. Among households with children, the percentage of those under “extreme housing stress” rises to more than 90 per cent.
Meanwhile, more than two of five households with children surveyed are experiencing food insecurity, unable to afford either three meals a day, fresh fruit or vegetables every day or at least one meal a day with meat, chicken or vegetables. And more than half of the survey respondents said their financial situation had become worse over the past 12 months.
The Salvation Army’s Major Paul Moulds said the research, the results of which have been released to coincide with the launch of the organisation’s annual Red Shield Appeal, confirmed the recent Federal Budget – under which Newstart allowance was not increased – failed Australians doing it tough.
“It is simply inhumane that corporations and wealthy households are handed a tax cut, while the most disadvantaged and marginalised people in this country continue to be ignored,” he said.
Major Moulds said it was “widely acknowledged” that it would take a minimum increase of $75 a week “just to ensure people can live on the poverty line – let alone above it.”
The Salvation Army, which provides 40,000 meals for the hungry and 17,000 beds for homeless every week in Australia, is calling for people to volunteer for and donate to the Red Shield Appeal.
To volunteer for the Red Shield Doorknock, register online at salvos.org/volunteer. Donations can be made by calling 13 SALVOS (13 72 58), visiting Salvos.org.au in person at any Westpac branch or Salvo Store or by posting a cheque to PO Box 9888 in your capital city.
