June 24th, 2013

NOW IS THE TIME FOR A POVERTY PARTY
Australia's Poor Need to Band Together to Improve Living Conditions

Today in Australia there are people working hard, sometimes at several jobs, often long past retirement age, making little money who can no longer afford even the most basic housing. People with minimal skills  have always been part of the economic landscape, the difference is that previously even on the minimum wage they could afford to put a roof over their heads. Take Perth family, the Parkinsons, a family with six children, they have been living in a tent for over six weeks. Warren Palmer from the Salvation Army said the Parkinson's story highlighted the plight of many families.

Regretfully, there has been much sympathy from those in more comfortable situations. As long as the economic situation isn't affecting them personally, and they can still pay the mortagage on a massive house, deliver their kids to their private schools in a big 4WD before spending the rest of the day at the gym or the beauty spa, they don't spare a thought for pensioners going to bed in coats because the power has been turned off, and single mothers with young children living in cars. 

From middle class oblivion to political indifference - instead of making excuses for not providing adequate relief, shouldn't our elected representatives rethink the taxation system to make life more equitable for all? Of course it will never happen until disadvantaged people become politically active. Working conditions didn't improve until workers banded together as members of labour unions.That's why there is a need for a political party such as Jane Patterson's anti poverty party (APP), that galvanised the marginalised party in my new book SALVATION JANE. Otherwise, governments will continue to balance the budget at the expense of the most vulnurable people in society.

Ann Massey