More submarines promise more intergenerational inequality
There is no “national security“ when millions of people are under threat from poverty and climate change.
The government has proven that poverty is a political choice with its latest military spending announcement.
$368 billion for five submarines over 30 years we can afford. Keeping people housed, fed and the supports they need to survive? Apparently we can’t afford.
People are struggling to keep a roof over their heads as major parties prioritise investors over single parents keeping their kids housed and in school. Neither party will even dare to consider investing in increasing our public housing waitlist for the ever growing list.
People are starving themselves to feed their children as the cost of living soars and both major parties are on a unity ticket to keep tax cuts for the wealthy. Yet Labor won't take extremely modest action to rein in the most extreme tax breaks for large super accounts until after the next election – if they win.
The government can and will find money to pay for toys it can’t even operate and will increase the deficit to make sure it happens at any cost, but at no point are they willing to do the same to ensure people who rely on welfare are not forced to endure poverty.
Quotes attributable to Antipoverty Centre spokesperson and Austudy recipient Jay Coonan
We all knew more military spending was coming, but as a welfare recipient it somehow feels worse now that it's here.
Politicians claim it's irresponsible to raise Centrelink payments but on a whim they spend $368 billion on five fucking submarines they can’t even operate or build.
Labor and the Coalition are on a joint ticket when it comes to the stage three tax cuts for the wealthy. And worse, Dutton is offering the prime minister support for NDIS funding cuts to pay for expensive toys that won’t even touch water until sometime in 2040, maybe.
It appears Anthony Albanese wants to sign a death warrant for the social wage in this country. Healthcare is unaffordable, public education is increasingly expensive while private schools get more funding each year, and social security is a system of punishment. But we can afford five fucking submarines.
More and more people can no longer keep a roof over their heads. People can’t afford food, and energy bills are spiralling. Ordinary people are suffering for the economy while politicians throw money away that could be used to help us.
This is why have lost faith in politicians and democratic processes. The community has heard the message loud and clear: poor people have no value, our welfare is none of their concern.
Media contact: 0403 429 414 / media at antipovertycentre.org
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About the Antipoverty Centre
The Antipoverty Centre was established in May 2021 by people living on Centrelink payments to counter problems with academics, think tanks and others in the political class making harmful decisions on behalf of people they purport to represent.
We have deep expertise in poverty, disadvantage and unemployment, because we live it. Our goal is to help ensure the voices and rights of people living in poverty are at the centre of social policy development and discourse. We believe there should be no decision made about us without us.
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