With the federal election campaign now underway, ACOSS is urging all parties and candidates to deliver real solutions to address the hardship people are facing, rising inequality and climate change, and to resist stoking fear and division.
"Some voters have experienced a historic fall in their living standards, and many are feeling afraid – they're scared they won't be able to keep a roof over their heads, put food on the table and cover the cost of basic essentials," said ACOSS CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie.
"They're crying out for leaders with clear plans to address these issues – not inflammatory rhetoric that stokes fear and division.
"If candidates are serious about tackling the cost of living, they must have policies that help the people with the least.
"The community sector rejects poorly targeted election sweeteners and calls on all parties and candidates to deliver an ambitious policy agenda that will reduce inequalities and deliver permanent relief for communities facing hardship.
"As the community sector, we are committed to fostering public debate about the most pressing issues, building bridges and crossing divides to support people to participate in a healthy and safe democratic process.
"We urge solidarity with First Nations communities, trans and gender diverse people, migrants and refugees and other communities who are often targeted. We must all play our role to call out hate speech and vilification, and to bring our communities together."
ACOSS is calling on the next government to lift Jobseeker, Youth Allowance and related income support payments to match the pension rate of $82 a day, build more social housing to address the housing crisis and invest in home energy upgrades to permanently reduce bills.
View ACOSS election priorities here.
