By John Layfield
MELBOURNE — The Victorian government of Premier Joan Kirner has severely cut its Poverty Action Program and withdrawn funding from some of the most active poverty and unemployment groups. The cuts ignore the recommendations of a review last year.
The program was part of the Cain government's 1985 Social Justice Strategy, and a small amount of funding was initially allocated for four years, beginning in 1986. Further funding was promised, but instead severe cuts have been imposed by community services minister Kay Setches.
"The attack by the Kirner government on the most politically active Poverty Action Groups is an outrage in the current economic crisis", says Coalition Against Poverty and Unemployment (CAPU) spokesperson Harry van Moorst.
"We face the worst level of unemployment since the depression, and at least 3.25 million Australian men, women and children are now living below the poverty line. It is shameful for any government to cut the already meagre funding provided to these groups.
"While community services received a 6% real increase in funds, the government has cut the Poverty Action Program by a massive 44%, to only $624,000. They spend more on the entertainment allowances of members of parliament!"
Groups affected by the cuts include CAPU, the Public Tenants' Union, the Low Income People's Network, the Aboriginal Advancement League and the Vietnamese Community Association.
CAPU says it is in the firing line because it criticised the government's performance on poverty and employment issues and ran a "don't vote" campaign in 1987. "With both state and federal elections coming up, the government is worried that we will make similar public criticisms and might run a similar campaign this year", said van Moorst.
CAPU is seeking community support for restoration of funding to all of the groups. A CAPU report on the cuts has been sent to Premier Joan Kirner.