Pre-election forum

Hunter Council of Social Services Pre-election Forum: "A wish list for the Hunter" - Local People, Local Issues

Today I attended the HCOSS sponsored forum at Newcastle City Hall. All candidates for the seat of Newcastle were invited to attend. I was the only one who bothered to turn up.

The Forum heard presentations by Professor Bill Mitchell, Gary Kennedy, Greg Heys, Ellen Kavanagh, Len Regan, Pam Tierney, Simon Pabek and Andrew Waters. Then there were small group discussions and all the feedback was compiled.

It is estimated that two million Australian live in poverty today – one in ten Australians. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2002), 58% of indigenous people, 28% of jobless people, 28% of people renting, 22% of single parents and 7% of older people are at risk of poverty. Recent research about the poorest 20% of families in Australia indicates most of these families are jobless.

All spheres of government have a role to play in addressing poverty.