ACOSS Urges Albanese Govt for Bolder Reform
ACOSS congratulates Prime Minister Albanese and Labor on its return to government. The second term of the Albanese Government must now seize this opportunity to be bolder in delivering real reform to fulfill its promise of leaving no-one behind.
“We welcome the Prime Minister’s recognition last night that there is still much more to do to help people under pressure. He is absolutely right,” said ACOSS CEO Cassandra Goldie.
“Millions across the country cannot afford the basics of life, including food, rent, medicine and power bills and we are facing a worsening climate crisis. People waking up today face exactly the same long-term challenges as they did before the election.
“To deliver on its promise of leaving no-one behind, Labor must raise the rate of income support to an adequate level. Jobseeker, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment and related payments are still so low they trap people in poverty. Raising the Rate of these payments must be the first order of business. How much longer must people wait for the help they desperately need?
“With the Housing Australia Future Fund now secure, we urge bolder action to build more social and affordable housing and deliver further energy upgrades to low–income homes to provide permanent power bill relief. We must also start proper tax reform to raise the public revenue that is needed to navigate our way to a fairer future.”
Dr Goldie said the Coalition’s negative campaigning has been comprehensively rejected by voters.
“The Coalition offered no long-term solutions to the cost-of-living, housing, and climate crises.
“They scapegoated migrants for the housing crisis, proposed policies that would worsen housing affordability, attacked Welcome to Country ceremonies, planned to slash public sector jobs and proposed more polluting gas and nuclear plants that will take years to build,” said Dr Goldie.
“ACOSS welcomes the Prime Minister’s focus on fairness, equality and respect. We call on all political parties to denounce divisive policies and rhetoric. Election campaigns are challenging and traumatising for communities who find themselves so often targeted.
“We urge solidarity with First Nations peoples, trans and gender diverse people, migrants, refugees and other communities. We call on politicians to listen to First Nations people and people who are directly affected, and who are best placed to understand what their communities need.
“Labor must deliver the funding needed to First Nations-led organisations to implement the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and commit to truth-telling and treaty processes.
“We thank the community leaders, advocates and people directly affected who have worked tirelessly to make a difference. Their dedication and voices must guide the next parliament’s decisions.”