When
Why
Another year, another budget and another chance for the Albanese government to stop talking about helping people in poverty and actually do it.
Despite repeatedly promising "no one left behind", Labor is treating people on Centrelink payments just as brutally as the Coalition. We're falling further and further behind in the face of dramatic rent and cost-of-living increases, with no meaningful relief in sight.
The government has committed to tax cuts for the rich, they're sending more and more money overseas to pay for weapons of war while people go homeless and hungry. With Centrelink payments that leave us unable to afford the bases, their choices make us feel they don't care whether we live or die.
Our coalition of grassroots antipoverty groups is hosting this online event ahead of the federal budget for people who rely on Centrelink payments to live, our allies and other advocates ahead of the 14 May federal budget. We will kick off at 7:30pm AEST / 7pm ACST / 5:30pm AWST on Thursday 11 April. At the event we will share more information about protests in Brisbane and Adelaide in the lead up to the budget, and why we urgently need Centrelink payments above the Henderson poverty line and then to develop a poverty measure fit for purpose in the 21st century. Speakers will also share the strain of surviving in poverty and why the people in power must stop the welfare system killing people.
Our demands:
- Centrelink payments to at least the Henderson poverty line
- Abolish compulsory "mutual" obligations
- High quality, beautiful public homes for all who want one
We dread seeing another federal budget come and go while we skip meals and lose our homes. The government needs to act now, and act by listening to us – not their rich mates – to break the poverty machine.ÌýÌýÌý
PARTICIPATING ONLINE
The Antipoverty Centre is hosting an online briefing so you can meet organisers from the Anti-Poverty Network SA, Anti-Poverty Network QLD and the Australian Unemployed Workers' Union. They will share information about the work they're doing, the protests they're organising ahead of the federal budget and how to get involved and how to organise your own local networks.
We encourage everyone to help by sharing this event page, live tweeting during the event and sending an email or message to their local MP to share our demands and why you care about them.
PARTICIPATING IN PERSON
BRISBANE: Antipoverty-Network QLD will hold a protest at Jim Chalmers office to tell the treasurer to increase Centrelink payments. He has the power of treasury to fund a genocide and funnel money to the fossil fuel industry, but so far is offering nothing to people who cannot afford to eat or cover bills.
ADELAIDE: Antipoverty-Network SA will be organising actions to push for our demands across Adelaide during the week of 15 April targeting local MPs, including the Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth.
COVID safety: The pandemic is not over. Disabled people and those on low incomes are some of the most at risk if they are infected. We request attendees to wear masks and keep a safe distance from others. Please do not attend in person if you are experiencing any symptoms.
SOLIDARITY DONATIONS
These events are free for all to participate. The organisers are unpaid. Solidarity contributions will provide us with funds to cover the costs of holding in-person protests and other activities in the lead-up to the federal budget. If you are comfortably able to contribute, click the "register" button and select the donation option at the bottom of the list of ticket types. You can select donation only, or register to participate and add a donation as well. Any funds over and above event costs will be split between the coalition groups.
This event is organised by the Antipoverty Centre, the Australian Unemployed Workers' Union, Anti-Poverty Network SA and Anti-Poverty Network QLD.
Want to join the coalition? Contact team@antipovertycentre.org