New Ministers are in line for significant social challenges

St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia welcomes incoming Ministers whose portfolio areas relate closely to the Society’s work - Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek, Minister for Housing, Homelessness and Cities, Clare O’Neil, and Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury, Dr Andrew Leigh. 

‘The Society was heartened by the ALP’s response to our Justice & Compassion suite of policies, telling us the Party is ‘committed to a strong and sustainable safety net that provides support to those most in need,’ said National President Mark Gaetani.  

‘It is encouraging to hear the Prime Minister’s acceptance speech pledge that his government will work together to build our national unity on the enduring foundations of fairness, equality and respect for one another. 

‘In turn, we look forward to working with Minister Plibersek, Minister O’Neil and Assistant Minister Leigh to address some of the outstanding inequities in Australian society. These key officeholders will have the influence to address such issues.’ 

Mr Gaetani said the Society is particularly concerned about housing and homelessness, notably the lot of renters, and we will continue to advocate for increased funding of Commonwealth Rent Assistance and a review of this program. 

‘These matters sit within Minister Plibersek’s and Minister O’Neil’s portfolio areas, with Minister Plibersek having prime responsibility for the welfare agenda. We strongly support the recommendations of the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee, which reports to Parliament and regularly urges the raising of working age payments such as JobSeeker. 

‘There is also a need for more support for women experiencing family and domestic violence, in particular by increasing base rate payments and improving application processes for the Crisis Payment and Leaving Family Violence Payment,’ the National President said. 

‘Regarding Dr Leigh’s portfolio area, we urge greater government attention to the charities reform agenda, in particular resourcing for the implementation of the Not-for-Profit Sector Development Blueprint, to which Assistant Minister Leigh has given considerable attention.  

‘This would offer a more secure and influential future for the Society and other charities 

‘We also hope that the Promoting Certainty, Trust and Independence Bill 2024, developed by the Stronger Charities Alliance, of which we are a member, will be introduced in this term of Parliament.’ 

Mr Gaetani said he and other Society leaders look forward to meeting with Ministers Plibersek and O’Neil, and again with Assistant Minister Leigh, to discuss the Society’s concerns about the wellbeing of Australians living around or below the poverty line, and the Society’s recommended strategies for assisting them. 

The St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia consists of 45,000 members and volunteers who operate on the ground through over 1,000 groups located in local communities across the country.

MEDIA CONTACT
0475 068 209 or media@svdp.org.au