9 August 2001

GOVERNMENT HAS POVERTY ROLE

The innovation statement released yesterday, by the Prime Minister, goes part way to dealing with the decline in job creating Research and Development in Australia.

The Innovation Statement was released on the same day as the Australian Bureau of Statistics released a report that states that Australia has become one of the most unequal countries in the Western world. South Australians are losing ground, in income terms, to the rest of Australia.

“The comments made by Workplace Relations Minister, Tony Abbott, about poverty and disadvantage, are disappointing” said Rev Dr Geoff Scott, Minister of Mission at UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide.

"Mr Abbott's Four Corners comments imply that people choose to live in poverty, because of their behaviours.  He misses the point that for many people drinking, substance abuse and gambling (the behaviours Mr Abbott mentioned) are consequences of poverty, not causes of it.  Unemployment, inadequate housing, poor health, violence and increasingly low wages are major contributors to poverty" Rev Scott explained.

"Do we really believe that people with a mental illness, children, redundant workers, abused women or farmers coping with another drought CHOOSE poverty?"  Rev Scott asks.

Rev Scott said "UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide is concerned by Minister Abbott apparently distancing the government from its role and duty with regard to citizens experiencing poverty.  We see the federal government having clear roles and responsibilities to low-income households including:

Guaranteed access to skills development through education and training

Guaranteed minimum levels of income

Guaranteed health care standards

Maintenance of just social structures and institutions

Establishing opportunities for all citizens to participate in employment and community activity"

"As a society, we as citizens and the government we elect, cannot diminish our community by accepting poverty.  We all have a role in seeking to eliminate poverty"  Rev Scott concluded.

 

For Further Comment
Mark Henley Senior Policy Officer	8202 5135 (w) 0404 067 011 (mob)