Society welcomes Bishops’ focus on cost-of-living crisis

As inflation and interest rates rise, the St Vincent de Paul Society has welcomed the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference’s (ACBC) new Social Justice Statement, The Cost of Our Living: Economic and Social Justice for the Common Good, which highlights the worsening cost‑of‑living crisis facing millions of people on low and modest incomes.

National President Mark Gaetani said the statement reflects what the Society’s Members, volunteers and employees are hearing every day from people seeking help, many reaching out for the first time.

“Families are skipping meals so they can keep the lights on, parents are delaying medical treatment, and more people are being pushed into housing stress or homelessness because they cannot keep up with soaring rents and other essentials,” Mr Gaetani said. “As cost‑of‑living increases outpace income supports and modest wage rises at the lower end, the people we help face impossible decisions daily.”

The ACBC’s focus on Australia’s cost‑of‑living crisis underscores how structural inequality, inadequate income support and a shortage of affordable housing are eroding people’s dignity and hope. The Society supports the ACBC’s call for communities, parishes and decision‑makers to respond with courage and compassion, guided by Catholic Social Teaching and a commitment to the common good.

“The Bishops remind us that in a wealthy country like Australia, it is unconscionable that so many people are forced to choose between paying the rent, buying food or keeping the lights on,” Mr Gaetani said. “The Society responds with food, clothing, help with bills and rent, and referrals to specialist services, while also advocating for long‑term solutions so that fewer people are pushed into poverty, but the growing demand for help with essentials is stretching charities like us to our limits.

“We’re urging governments at all levels to reverse the cost-of-living crisis with practical action, including meaningful tax and welfare reforms that prioritise human rights over tax breaks for the wealthiest households, a significant boost to social and affordable housing, and adequate income support.

“When the federal government spends more on tax breaks for property investors ($12.3 billion in 2025) than on social housing, homelessness services and rent assistance combined ($9.6 billion), it’s clear that urgent tax reform is required to stop more families being pushed into poverty.”

The Society encourages parish communities, schools and individuals to read and discuss the ACBC Social Justice Statement and to consider practical ways to respond, such as donating to or volunteering with the Society, and engaging with elected representatives on cost‑of‑living and housing issues.

The ACBC’s latest Social Justice Statement is available at socialjustice.catholic.org.au. Further information on the Society’s cost‑of‑living and housing advocacy can be found at vinnies.org.au or call 13 18 12 to find services in your area.

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.