ELECTION 2016
POVERTY needs to be an issue in the July election, with new Salvation Army research once again highlighting the inadequacy of the Newstart Allowance for jobseekers.
The organisation's 2016 economic and social impact survey of more than 1600 Salvation Army clients across Australia showed 68 per cent of those living in private rental properties or paying off a mortgage were using two thirds of their income on housing.
Some clients on Newstart supported their household on just $15.29 a day after accommodation was paid for, while "numerous clients" lived off $16.96 a day.
Almost 90 per cent of respondents did not have $500 in savings for emergencies, 86 per cent experienced severe levels of deprivation and went without essential items and more than one third were not able to afford medicine prescribed by a doctor.
"I need specialist visits for several chronic medical conditions, but as these specialists do not bulk bill I cannot attend the appointments," one respondent said.
"Consequently these conditions continue to worsen."
Nearly three quarters of respondents did not have a computer, tablet or iPad and more than half did not have a motor vehicle.
Salvation Army spokesman Major Bruce Harmer said serious funding was needed for innovative solutions to combat disadvantage.
"The Salvation Army is calling on both sides of politics to make poverty a key federal election issue," he said.
"We cannot keep putting a bandaid on disadvantage.
"This tells us that private rentals are not a secure form of housing for those living on the breadline.
"One small change to an individual or family's income, or an unexpected bill or expense can lead to a tenancy being lost and a family becoming homeless.
"We need leadership and action from all levels of Government.
"The results of this extensive survey of 1632 people are utterly shameful. It shows the real level of struggle taking place in our 'lucky country'."
The report recommends a national plan to prevent poverty and continued financial investment from government to ensure emergency relief, financial counselling capabilities and community support services are adequately funded.
It calls for additional financial support for people on Newstart and other income support payments and opposes any decrease in income support measures that would further disadvantage people who are financially insecure.
