FAIR GO FAIR
SHARE CAMPAIGN
Campaign Leaflet
Our political leaders
take pride in the economic growth that has occurred in recent
decades but the benefits of this have not
flowed equally to the whole Australian population.
Some have done very well while others have been severely
disadvantaged. For example, it is a well documented fact
that increases in household incomes are heavily and unfairly
skewed in favour of the well-off. Job
losses, job insecurity, unemployment, loss of workers' entitlements
and an increase in poverty are all indicators
of the fact that some Australians have suffered more than
others as a result of recent economic changes.
Arguably, politicians
themselves have been sheltered from the worst aspects of
economic change because they enjoy good salaries and good
working conditions with entitlements that are guaranteed.
It is time to remind them that they have a responsibility
to make sure that all Australians get
a fair go and a fair share of this country's prosperity.
The St Vincent de Paul Society has reminded us recently that
this country is at risk of developing into "two Australias"– one
for the well-off and one for the battlers.
While there are
big international issues facing our nation at this time,
we must not forget domestic issues which impinge upon the
lives of many Australians. An election is often the only
time when political parties, politicians and aspiring politicians
take notice of the people. So, we are asking voters in this
Federal Election to consider the following
issues before voting. We are especially asking
that political parties include in their election platform:
-
an ongoing commitment to the provision of low
cost public housing for people on low incomes
who cannot keep up with rents in the private rental market
even with Centrelink's rent assistance;
-
a commitment to making sure that working people are paid
an adequate wage for their
work and that workers are entitled to claim basic
conditions of employment such as sick leave and
holiday pay without the fear of losing their jobs; also,
that workers' entitlements like superannuation and long-service
leave are protected;
-
a commitment to ensure that unemployed people have a decent
level of income support and are not unduly
penalised and breached by Centrelink if they have difficulties
meeting the rules that now apply under 'mutual obligation';
-
a commitment to overcoming the health
gap between the rich and poor by maintaining
and extending Medicare, bringing back the Dental Rebate
Scheme for people on low incomes and strengthening the
public hospital system.
