Media Release

UnitingCare Australia welcomes short term cost of living relief and renews calls for long term reform

Cost of living pressure will remain the top issue facing Australians until income stagnation is fixed, increasing the need for long term solutions in addition to the short term measures announced in the Federal Budget tonight.

Speaking after the recent launch of the 2022 Australian Election Policy Platform, UnitingCare Australia National Director, Claerwen Little, said we cannot afford to lose sight of tackling inequality.

“UnitingCare Australia welcomes the range of measures that will provide cost of living relief.

“We welcome the $1.3billion dollar investment in Women’s Safety, including extending the Escaping Violence Payment.

“But we know that people are doing it really tough at the moment. So whilst we welcome this short term relief, we urge the government to implement long term measures that will provide sustained support.

“We acknowledge the additional 15,000 aged care training places but it’s not nearly enough to tackle the workforce shortages. We remain deeply concerned about aged care wages and renew our calls for urgent action following the Fair Work Commission case.

“We’re calling on the major parties to adopt our three point plan for a fairer future in the coming election:

  1. National inquiry on stagnant incomes
  2. Superannuation on Parental Leave Payment
  3. Increase aged care wages.

“We’re calling on decision makers to pay attention to inequality in our community and put in place structural solutions for structural problems so that every person can reach their full potential.”

UnitingCare Australia is one of the most influential social sector organisations in the country    . The UnitingCare Network provides more than $5 billion in support services to more than 1.4 million Australians every year.

It employs 50,000 workers, with a further 30,000 volunteers, across 1,600 sites throughout Australia, making it one of the nation’s largest employers.

It provides services to children, young people and families, those with disabilities, older Australians, including residential and community care, child care, homelessness prevention and support, domestic violence and disability services – in urban, rural and remote areas.