KEVIN MERCER: CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY QUEENSLAND
Dec 8, 2022 | Annual Leaders Survey 2022
Key Social Policy Reform
The last twelve months has been a period of much uncertainty and stress for many Queenslanders and we are warned by our Federal Treasurer that ‘tough times are ahead’ for at least the next two years.
At the St Vincent de Paul Society we have seen the levels of assistance and support offered to those most vulnerable and experiencing hardship in Queensland communities increase by 30% over the previous year and in the first three months of this year to 30 September a further increase of 25% over our budget forecast.
As pressure has come on to the housing market driven up by interstate demand and now interest rates, the ripple effect down through the rental market impacting rental supply and rental pricing has meant those on low incomes and support payments can no longer participate. In all major cities and regional centers across the state, unfortunately there is increasing evidence of rough sleeping in the CBDs and ‘tent cities’ on riverbanks, before we consider the increased numbers sleeping in cars, caravans and over-crowded share homes. Homelessness is now not just a social justice issue for those on welfare and support payments, it is a very real concern and reality for many low-income working people and families.
Queensland currently has a state housing waitlist of 45,000+ people with an average waiting time of more than two years. In the last 12 months 7,294 people have been added to the list. Brisbane median rent prices increased by 12.5% (units) and 16.9% (houses) in the 2021-22 financial year on top of the cost-of-living pressures we are all enduring.
Whilst much progress has been made by both Federal and State & Territory Governments in shifting policy and providing much needed funding for the further development of more social and affordable housing in the years ahead, the short-term solutions are more challenging to support people whilst that stock is built.
If we consider Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, the base level is physiological need – these are biological requirements for human survival, e.g. air, food, shelter, clothing, sleep. These are not provided or supported by economic policy but rather social policy. Without strong social policy as a societal foundation, economic policy will be limited or selective in its impact and effectiveness.
The here and now issue of over 3.3 million people (13.4%), 1 in 6 are children, living below the poverty line and growing due to the housing and cost of living concerns above is unacceptable in a wealthy developed nation such as Australia. Significant social policy reform, for both non-working and working people, is necessary and critical to support Queenslanders (and all Australians) above the poverty line with food, safe and secure housing, clothing and access to education over the next 3-5 years to ensure a fairer Australia so we all get through the ‘tough times ahead’.