September 8th 2024.
Lester, a former security guard from Adelaide, recently shared his struggle with the rising cost of living while surviving on government support. After undergoing treatment for cancer, the 60-year-old had to give up his job and is now studying for a new career. However, he has noticed that while his bills continue to increase, his government payments remain the same.
In a recent interview with 9News, Lester expressed his concerns, stating, "With the rent going up and the price of groceries also on the rise, I was hit hard when it went up by $50 per week. It's just not sustainable for me." Unfortunately, Lester is not alone in his struggles. Around 1.4 million Australians are currently receiving government payments such as JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Austudy, and Parenting Payment.
According to research conducted by the Australian Council of Social Services, three out of four people receiving government payments are having to cut back on meat and fresh produce, and half of them are even skipping meals altogether. On top of that, three-quarters of these individuals are struggling to afford essential medications, and almost all of them are facing the stress of high rental costs.
While there is regular indexation scheduled for September 20, it may not be enough to keep up with the rising cost of living. As ACOSS Acting CEO Edwina MacDonald explains, "Costs are going up faster than the payments can keep up." Urgent action is needed from the government to lift the rate of government income support payments to a livable level.
MacDonald also expressed her disappointment in the current state of affairs, stating, "These findings are deeply disturbing and are a source of national shame. The shockingly low rate of income support is seriously damaging people's physical and mental health." It is clear that more needs to be done to support those who rely on government payments to make ends meet.
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