Anglicare Australia has congratulated Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Party on their election victory, and pledged to work with the Government for a fairer country in the next term of parliament.
“The Government, and the country, face major challenges,” said Anglicare Australia Executive Director Kasy Chambers.
“Hundreds of thousands of Australians are struggling to find an affordable home. People on the lowest incomes are struggling to make ends meet. And the aged care sector is in the midst of historic reforms.
“That’s why poll after poll shows that Australians want action on wages, welfare, housing and climate change over band-aid solutions. We owe it to them to take action.
“We support the Government’s continued focus on incomes and living costs, which are seeing record numbers of Australians do it tough. People out of work are on the lowest incomes of all, and we hope to work with the new Government reform Centrelink payments so that they keep pace with the cost of living.
“We need action on the huge shortfall in social and affordable housing. Our Rental Affordability Snapshot, released just days before election day, has shown the depth of this crisis. We must stop Australia from becoming a country where only the very wealthy can avoid housing stress – and wind down band-aid solutions that make the problem worse.
“And we need an ongoing commitment to better care for older people. The Government has kicked off historic reforms to the sector, and now we need an ongoing commitment to see those reforms through.
“We know what we need to do to make Australia fairer – invest in affordable housing, raise the rate of incomes, and ensure a dignified life for older people.
“We look forward to working with the returned Government, and the crossbench, on each of these fronts,” Ms Chambers said.