Media Release: One-in-ten Queenslanders who rely on welfare agencies miss out on one square meal a day

Anti-Poverty Week – 17-23 October

Around one-in-ten people in Queensland who turn to welfare agencies for help lack a substantial meal at least once a day according to community service organisation Mission Australia.

As well as the most basic need for food, 43 per cent of welfare clients in Queensland can’t afford necessary dental treatment, 34 per cent can’t afford to pay their utility bills, 26 per cent have had to pawn or sell something to obtain money and 13 per cent have no access to a bulk-billing doctor. Thirty-three per cent of Queensland clients are unable to afford medicines prescribed by a doctor.

The state-based results are from a 2008 national research project led by Professor Peter Saunders from the Social Policy Research Centre at the University of New South Wales in partnership with Mission Australia and a range of community service organisations.

The research pays particular attention to households with children requiring welfare agency support, revealing 27 per cent are unable to provide hobby or leisure activities for their kids, 22 per cent are unable to afford school activities and 14 per cent are unable to provide separate beds for each child.

Mission Australia’s Queensland State Director, Tony Stevenson, said the results revealed the often desperate levels of poverty, deprivation and exclusion facing the individuals and families who rely on community service agencies for support.

“These aren’t encouraging figures. They show just how far we have to go as a society to truly arrive at a ‘fair Australia’,” said Mr Stevenson.

Mr Stevenson said he hoped the figures would re-energise the Federal Government’s social inclusion agenda which is aimed at achieving better outcomes for disadvantaged people.

“Now that we’re through the global financial crisis – and with a capable new Minister for Social Inclusion in Tanya Plibersek – the Federal Government has the opportunity to get on the front foot and pursue an agenda that makes real differences in the lives of people who are currently excluded from the essentials of life.

“The Gillard Government must apply itself to the issues which currently weigh so heavily on disadvantaged Australians – reducing homelessness, providing substantially more support to people with mental health issues, tackling rising youth unemployment, and providing ‘place-based’ support to people in the country’s most disadvantaged postcodes.

“Particularly at a time when Australia is patting itself on the back for avoiding the worst of the financial crisis and a possible return to the boom years, these figures are a wake-up call that poverty is still very real in this country.

“It will take targeted and deliberate action to change that. We hope that the political realities of a hung Parliament won’t get in the way – the people we help can’t afford for to wait for another three years,” said Mr Stevenson.

Media Release: One-in-seven in NSW who rely on welfare agencies miss out on one square meal a day

Anti-Poverty Week – 17-23 October

Around one in seven people in NSW who turn to welfare agencies for help lack a substantial meal at least once a day according to community service organisation Mission Australia.

As well as the most basic need for food, 49 per cent of welfare clients in NSW can’t afford necessary dental treatment, 44 per cent can’t afford to pay their utility bills, 29 per cent have had to pawn or sell something to obtain money and 20 per cent have no access to a bulk-billing doctor.

Thirty-five per cent of NSW clients are unable to afford medicines prescribed by a doctor.
The state-based results are from a 2008 national research project led by Professor Peter Saunders from the Social Policy Research Centre at the University of New South Wales in partnership with Mission Australia and a range of community service organisations.

The research pays particular attention to households with children requiring welfare agency support, revealing 26 per cent are unable to provide hobby or leisure activities for their kids, 20 per cent are unable to afford school activities and 14 per cent are unable to provide separate beds for each child.

Mission Australia’s NSW/ACT State Director, Leonie Green, said the results revealed the often desperate levels of poverty, deprivation and exclusion facing the individuals and families who rely on community service agencies for support.

“These aren’t encouraging figures. They show just how far we have to go as a society to truly arrive at a ‘fair Australia’,” said Ms Green.

Ms Green said she hoped the figures would re-energise the Federal Government’s social inclusion agenda which is aimed at achieving better outcomes for disadvantaged people.

“Now that we’re through the global financial crisis – and with a capable new Minister for Social Inclusion in Tanya Plibersek – the Federal Government has the opportunity to get on the front foot and pursue an agenda that makes real differences in the lives of people who are currently excluded from the essentials of life.

“The Gillard Government must apply itself to the issues which currently weigh so heavily on disadvantaged Australians – reducing homelessness, providing substantially more support to people with mental health issues, tackling rising youth unemployment, and providing ‘place-based’ support to people in the country’s most disadvantaged postcodes.

“Particularly at a time when Australia is patting itself on the back for avoiding the worst of the financial crisis and a possible return to the boom years, these figures are a wake-up call that poverty is still very real in this country.

“It will take targeted and deliberate action to change that. We hope that the political realities of a hung Parliament won’t get in the way – the people we help can’t afford for to wait for another three years,” said Ms Green.

Anti-Poverty Week launched in Hobart

Anti-Poverty Week – 17-23 October

The Hobart community of Glenorchy yesterday did its bit to raise awareness about disadvantage at an Anti-Poverty Week barbecue held at the Mission Australia Centre, Chigwell House.

Mission Australia staff, volunteers and members of the local community launched the week in fine festive style.

According to Family Liaison Officer Shelley Moore approximately 100 people attended - some that we provide services to as well as those from the broader community.

“It was one of the best events we’ve ever held,” said Shelley.

“It had a really nice feel to it. We had a jumping castle, lolly-guessing competitions food activities and music.”

Parents Staying Connected participants provided face-painting for the local children and staff from another Mission Australia service, Youth Connections, conducted a drum-beat session.

The event was launched by Anti-Poverty Week patron Bernadette Black, a Tasmanian author who is an advocate for young parents.

"I was a 16-year old-mum when I had my first child and I was really quite close to that poverty line," she said.

Ms Black emphasised that poverty can strike anyone. "For most of us in Australia now - with the pressures being so hard - it can be an unplanned pregnancy, a death of a loved one, it can be something that you know can happen to any of us that can get us to this poverty line when we need all the help and support of the community.”

Tasmanian Association of Community Houses representative John Hooper said it was important to highlight the services and support networks available to struggling Tasmanians.

"We're trying to support communities to assist themselves and lift them out of the situation they're in," he told The Mercury.

Mission Australia Centre, Chigwell House functions as a neighbourhood ‘hub’ offering support to families and young people in the Glenorchy City Council area of north-east Hobart. The centre offers a unique blend of community programs designed to transform the lives of young parents and teenagers in the local area. It also comprises 14 social housing units for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Media Release: Poverty in Victoria reaches alarming level

Anti-Poverty Week – 17-23 October

Deprivation in Victoria has reached an alarming level with more than one in seven people seeking help from welfare groups missing at least one substantial meal a day, according to the latest research from Mission Australia.

The research also revealed at least 42 per cent of welfare clients in Victoria can’t afford dental treatment, 33 per cent don’t have money for prescribed medicines, 26 per cent can’t afford to pay their utility bills and 14 per cent have no access to a bulk-billing doctor.

And of those clients with young families, 25 per cent are unable to provide a hobby or leisure activity for their children, 21 per cent can’t afford school activities and 12 per cent are unable to provide separate beds for each child.

Mission Australia Victoria State Director Paul Bird said the figures gave a disturbing portrait of inequality and highlighted the social exclusion faced by those relying on community service agencies for support.

“These figures illustrate there is a long way to go before we have a ‘fair Australia,’” said Mr Bird.

“At a time when Australia is patting itself on the back for avoiding the worst of the financial crisis, our research is a wake-up call that poverty is still very real in this country,” he said.

Mr Bird hoped the figures would encourage further debate about growing inequality and embedded disadvantaged in Victoria and the actions needed to address the issue.

“With the State Election fast approaching, it’s imperative the Victorian Government pursues an agenda that alleviates poverty and disadvantage and makes a real difference for those currently excluded from life’s essentials,” said Mr Bird.

The findings are based on a survey of 1230 clients of Mission Australia and other community service organisations nationally.

Media contact
Rachael Nightingale
Fenton Communications
P: (03) 9600 0006
M: 0449881980
E: rachael@fenton.com.au

Anti Poverty Week video winners' mission to Canberra

On Thursday 18th March 2010 winners of Mission Australia’s Anti Poverty Week video competition, Gavin Douglas, Revesby-Wirrimbirra Rotary Club member, and Daniel Petsalis, Missionbeat manager, met with Senator Ursula Stephens, Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector.

The video competition was launched for Anti-Poverty Week in October 2009. The idea behind the competition was to organise a fun activity via a 60 second video that raised awareness around the issue of poverty as well as engaged people in what they could do to help.

“Senator Ursula feels very passionate about homeless people and people that work with them. It was an amazing experience to be able to share some of our experience of what we are doing to assist Sydney’s disadvantaged people, as well as some of our Rotary projects” said Daniel.

On their visit to Parliament, Daniel and Gavin also met with their local MP, Daryl Melham. “Daryl was incredibly down to earth, the sort of bloke you wouldn’t mind having a beer with”.

“Revisiting the House of Representatives as an adult is an interesting process to sit through. It is nothing compared to the visit we did when we were in primary school. Being able to see politicians on Question Time get vocal and animated, that seem normally quiet and reserved on the outside was a great surprise,” said Daniel.

“Walking around the parliament with an unaccompanied pass was like having a back stage pass to a concert. Passing Tony Abbott and Kevin Rudd in the corridor and seeing where their offices were located within parliament, was a fantastic opportunity”

View the winning video here:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=48qaqdej3PQ

Mission Australia announces winner of Anti-Poverty Week competition

Early in October Mission Australia launched the Anti-Poverty Week competition to raise awareness around the issue of poverty and engage people in what they could do to help.

Entrants were asked to prepare a short video - no longer than 60 seconds - addressing what they would do to alleviate poverty if they were Prime Minister for a day to help mark Anti-Poverty Week (11-17 October).

Mission Australia’s CEO, Toby Hall, announced the winner this week to be The Rotary Club of Revesby-Wirrimbirra. One member of the winning team will be flown to Canberra to meet the Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion, Senator Ursula Stephens, to discuss the club's idea.

Congratulations to the winners for a fantastic idea!

To view the winning video on Youtube, follow this link:  www.youtube.com/user/RotaryRW

Media Release: PM for a day? What would you do to tackle poverty?

Mission Australia is encouraging Australians of all ages to say what they would do to alleviate poverty if they were Prime Minister for a day to help mark Anti-Poverty Week (11-17 October).

The best response – delivered in the form of a short video no longer than 60 seconds – will be judged by Mission Australia’s CEO, Toby Hall, with the winner being flown to Canberra to meet the Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion, Senator Ursula Stephens, to discuss their idea.

According to Toby Hall, the idea behind the competition was to organise a fun activity that also raised awareness around the issue of poverty and engaged people in what they could do to help.

“Most Australians are pretty lucky but there is a significant minority who are stuck in poverty, cut off from life’s essentials, and who need our help,” said Mr Hall.

“From our own research we know that around one in seven people who turn to welfare organisations lack a substantial meal at least once a day – that’s a shocking situation in modern Australia.

“As well as the most basic need for food, 30 per cent of our clients lack a decent and secure home; 25 per cent are unable to buy prescribed medicines; 46 per cent don't have access to dental services; and 11 per cent don't have a separate bed for each of their kids.

“People living in poverty are unable to participate in the activities that most of us take for granted. They are often faced with difficult choices – such as skipping a meal to pay for a child’s text book.

“Getting involved in the ‘PM for a day’ competition is easy. All participants need to do is make a short video of themselves – no longer than 60 seconds – and tell us what they would do to address poverty if they were Prime Minister for 24 hours.

“It doesn’t have to filmed on a video camera – you can use your mobile phone – just as long as it’s less than 60 seconds and sticks to the subject.

“Simply visit www.missionaustralia.com.au/apw for entry details. To post your video participants will need to register with youtube.com.

“There's still two weeks left to get your entry in. We have to receive videos by midnight on Friday, 16 October with the winner being announced online on Friday, 30 October.

“We’ll fly the winner to Canberra to meet the Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion, Senator Ursula Stephens, to discuss their ideas and the issues surrounding poverty,” said Toby.

Media contact: Paul Andrews (02) 9219 2080 or 0409 665 495

Four Corners' Last Chance Motel - A timely reminder of the reality of Homelessness

Mission Australia welcomed Sarah Ferguson's report on Monday night - 'Last Chance Motel - which aimed to present the reality of homelessness for families stuck in a cycle of temporary housing.

As expected, the families featured all have their own stories to tell - when it comes to homelessness there is no stereotype: it is a situation arising from system failure rather than human failure.

As one father mentioned: "I've always had this picture in my head of a homeless person... they've got torn dirty clothes, they're not shaven, they're sort of sitting out on the corner looking for a handout… I'm not in that category but I don't have a home for my family and it's really embarrassing."

Homelessness is a symptom that arises from the combination of a low-income, a tight rental market favouring prejudice and a public housing system that has been systematically scaled back over the past decade.

As one mother mentioned in the program, how is she supposed to perform her role as mother while they have their family packed into a single hotel room and living out of boxes? Long-term 'temporary' accommodation is hardly the solution.

While rental properties are pricing low-income earners out of the market, there needs to be adequate public housing to meet the demand - but taxpayer funded 'temporary' accommodation should only ever be just that...temporary.

60 seconds of fame for a world without poverty

Speak-up with Mission Australia for a world free of Poverty!

Anti-Poverty Week commences Sunday, October 11 to Friday, October 17.

It is a week when Australians from all walks of life are encouraged to speak up in support of people who go without the essentials of life.

People living in poverty are often faced with difficult choices - such as skipping a meal to pay for a child’s text book. In fact, latest research shows that around one in seven Australians who turn to welfare organisations for help lack a substantial meal at least once a day.

As well as the most basic need for food, 29.6% of clients lack a decent and secure home; 25.3% are unable to buy prescribed medicines; 45.7% don't have access to dental services; and 11.4% don't have a separate bed for each child.

In support of Anti-Poverty Week, Mission Australia is encouraging the Australian public to tell us how you would tackle poverty if you were Prime Minister via a short, 60 second video. Your video will join many others in a video petition as your 'signature' against poverty.

If you are over 18 and would like to participate, visit the Mission Australia website for full details on how to sign-on and speak-up for a country free of poverty!

We also encourage you to coordinate your own Anti-Poverty Week activity. For ideas and details on how to register your activity, or to join an activity in your local community, visit the Anti-Poverty Week website.