Why have the government and the coalition decided to make things even harder for over 100,000 single mums and dads by cutting their parenting payment and pushing many below the poverty line? Single-parent families, who are some of the most vulnerable people in our community, face cuts of over $100 per week straight after Christmas. How will this help those already struggling to cover the cost of essentials like school books, food and medical costs?
As reported in Echonetdaily, recent studies reveal that the divide between Australia’s rich and poor has been widening since 2009. Roger Wilkins, an associate professor at the Melbourne Institute, has said: ‘Declining employment since late 2010 may have contributed to the rise in inequality in 2010–11. There’s also a chance the cuts in the single-parent pension will lead to further income inequality.’
It’s time to get our priorities in order and ensure all our children have a quality start to life with healthy food and a decent education, not living in poverty. We should ask our local members what they are doing to address these serious issues, especially for single parents and their children.
Dawn Walker
Fingal Head
