St Vincent de Paul report 24 per cent increase in requests for help as Qld families struggle in silence
Struggling parents are starving themselves to afford the basics for their children, as the St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland reports a 24 per cent increase in requests for help over the last financial year.
In the lead up to Anti-Poverty Week on 11-17 October, the state charity advised they receive an average of 600+ calls for help a day, mostly from families unable to keep up with rising costs of living and housing.
State President Peter Dougherty said of the near 250,000 Queenslanders supported by Society Members in the last financial year, nearly 40 per cent were under the age of 16.
“All over the news you hear of people struggling under rising interest rates, but a significant number of families can barely afford rent as it is,” he said.
“It’s not uncommon us for work with starving parents going days without food, just to make sure they have enough to keep their kids fed, housed and educated.”
On the Gold Coast, which was recently crowned Australia’s most expensive city, the Society reported some locals spending up to 90 to 95 per cent on their income on rent, with nothing left over for emergencies.
Mr Dougherty said one surprise bill was often enough to send families into severe financial anxiety.
“If your kid gets sick, you need to see a doctor, you need to get medicine, you may need to organise transport – these costs can add up and many families have nothing in savings to fall back on,” he said.
“Think about how financially stressful a mechanic visit for the average person can be, then imagine if you were barely getting by in the first place. Something as simple as a tyre change or rego renewal can send families back months financially.”
Earlier this year, the Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS) Raising Queensland report found that 14 per cent of Queensland families had run out of food at some point in the previous 12 months.
Chief Executive Officer Joe Duskovic said that poverty often went unnoticed in Queensland.
“Visible poverty can show itself as an increase in tents or sleeping bags on our streets, but we don't see are the families choosing between paying for rent, food or utilities each week because they can’t afford all three,” Mr Duskovic said.
“If we can help lift families out of poverty and establish healthy and stable foundations, we would be well on our way to creating a better and more equitable Queensland.
“That would be something worth sharing to the world when all eyes turn to us for the 2032 Olympics.”
St Vincent de Paul Queensland has joined QCOSS and other state advocates and organisations in calling for a whole-of-government Families Strategy that aligns health, education and income support services to ensure Queensland children aren’t left at severe disadvantage.
Now in its 24th year, Anti-Poverty Week encourages action to address alleviate poverty across Australia, with a special focus on child poverty.
For more information on the St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland, visit vinnies.org.au/qld or to reach out for help, contact 1800 846 643.