This week is Anti-Poverty Week, 13 – 19 October, drawing attention to the more than 3 million people or 13.2% of the population living below the poverty line In Australia, including nearly 740,000 children or 1 in 6. And 1 in 5 kids go to school without breakfast. Anti-Poverty Week supports the Australian community to have an increased understanding of poverty and to take action to collectively end it. This year's major focus is 'Raise the Rate' (Newstart). https://antipovertyweek.org.au/
In its founding document, the Statement to the Nation (1977), the UCA said: “We pledge ourselves to seek the correction of injustices wherever they occur. We will work for the eradication of poverty and racism within our society and beyond… We will challenge values which emphasise acquisitiveness and greed in disregard of the needs of others and which encourage a higher standard of living for the privileged in the face of the daily widening gap between the rich and poor.”
From a 2009 UCA statement, An Economy of Life(2009): Re-Imagining Human Progress for a Flourishing World: “An economy of life is marked by regard for the common good. Individualism, competition and greed deny human flourishing because the fullness of our humanity is not found in wealth but in relationship with each other and the world around us… In God’s household people are safe, secure, cared for and valued. The household shares all it has with concern for those most in need… As we seek to address the failings of the current global economic system, the values of an economy of life would find their expression in an economic system which places the needs of people and the planet before profit.”
https://uniting.church/…/up…/2019/07/An-Economy-for-Life.pdf
https://uniting.church/…/up…/2019/07/An-Economy-for-Life.pdf
The State of the Nation:
Poverty and inequality continue to grow in Australia
• There are just over 3 million people (13.2%) living below the poverty line of 50% of median income – including 739,000 children (17.3%). In dollar figures, this poverty line works out to $433 a week for a single adult living alone; or $909 a week for a couple with two children.
• Many of those affected are living in deep poverty – on average, this is a staggering $135 per week below the poverty line.
• The group of people experiencing poverty the most are those relying on Government allowance payments such as Youth Allowance and Newstart.
• Newstart has not increased in real terms for 24 years and is now worth $278 a week. The cost of basic essentials like housing, groceries, energy, transport, and clothing have risen, and is a minimum of $433 per week for a single unemployed person. Over half of people receiving Newstart live below the poverty line.29
• In the 2016 Census, over 116,000 people were homeless in Australia. Nearly 16,000 were under the age of 12.
Poverty and inequality continue to grow in Australia
• There are just over 3 million people (13.2%) living below the poverty line of 50% of median income – including 739,000 children (17.3%). In dollar figures, this poverty line works out to $433 a week for a single adult living alone; or $909 a week for a couple with two children.
• Many of those affected are living in deep poverty – on average, this is a staggering $135 per week below the poverty line.
• The group of people experiencing poverty the most are those relying on Government allowance payments such as Youth Allowance and Newstart.
• Newstart has not increased in real terms for 24 years and is now worth $278 a week. The cost of basic essentials like housing, groceries, energy, transport, and clothing have risen, and is a minimum of $433 per week for a single unemployed person. Over half of people receiving Newstart live below the poverty line.29
• In the 2016 Census, over 116,000 people were homeless in Australia. Nearly 16,000 were under the age of 12.
We look to the Government to make economic decisions that put people first: decisions that are good for creation, that lift people out of poverty and fairly share our country’s wealth. The economy serves the well-being and flourishing of all people so that:
* Everyone has a roof over their heads and food on the table.
* People and families struggling to make ends meet are not degraded, diminished, demonised or driven into poverty.
* We support each other through our relationships and our economic system.
* We have a social security system that supports people who have retired, those with disabilities, those raising children and those locked out of the paid employment market.
* no-one is left behind
* Everyone has a roof over their heads and food on the table.
* People and families struggling to make ends meet are not degraded, diminished, demonised or driven into poverty.
* We support each other through our relationships and our economic system.
* We have a social security system that supports people who have retired, those with disabilities, those raising children and those locked out of the paid employment market.
* no-one is left behind
Witness from the Bible includes:
• Israel’s Covenant law clearly enshrines principles which ensure that all members of society are able to benefit from the economy and the means of production.
• Similarly Jesus regularly taught the obligation to care for those in need (Matthew 25: 31 – 46; Mark 10: 17 – 22; Luke 6: 30; 12: 33 – 34; 14: 12 – 14).
• The early followers of Jesus made a clear priority of sharing their resources so that none should be in need (Acts 2: 44 – 45; 4: 32 – 35).
• Israel’s Covenant law clearly enshrines principles which ensure that all members of society are able to benefit from the economy and the means of production.
• Similarly Jesus regularly taught the obligation to care for those in need (Matthew 25: 31 – 46; Mark 10: 17 – 22; Luke 6: 30; 12: 33 – 34; 14: 12 – 14).
• The early followers of Jesus made a clear priority of sharing their resources so that none should be in need (Acts 2: 44 – 45; 4: 32 – 35).
Key Actions:
1. Better support for people locked out of work, particularly for vulnerable groups exposed to compounding pressures.
2. Raising the single rate of Newstart, Youth Allowance and related payments.
3. Provide universal access to quality early learning to all children aged three and four.
1. Better support for people locked out of work, particularly for vulnerable groups exposed to compounding pressures.
2. Raising the single rate of Newstart, Youth Allowance and related payments.
3. Provide universal access to quality early learning to all children aged three and four.
(Thanks to Rev Dr Paul Goh Justice & CALD Multicultural & Cross Cultural CMC Officer, who compiled the information)
Resources for worship with an Anti-Poverty theme: http://pilgrimwr.unitingchurch.org.au/?p=1775
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