Stephen Bates (Brisbane, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In my time since being elected as the member for Brisbane I have had the privilege of meeting with numerous community organisations who are doing incredible work supporting members of our community experiencing homelessness, job insecurity and income support below the poverty line. In fact, in my electorate alone one in 10 people are relying on income support to get by. In my conversations with organisations within Brisbane like Communify, 3rd Space, Q Shelter and Open Doors Youth Service the importance of liveable income support has always been very clear.

In fact, many of these organisations reflected that during the initial stages of the pandemic when the rate of income support was lifted above the poverty line the need for their services dramatically decreased. What this represents is a failing of current government policy. The government has the power to lift 5.5 million people on income support out of poverty, to provide them with a real safety net.

These charitable organisations within Brisbane and around Australia do a fantastic job of providing support to those who need it most. Not only do they help those in poverty to get back on their feet, but they build strong community networks as well. The community of Brisbane knows these organisations have their back and it is time the government does as well.