Tax reform a strong foundation for addressing housing crisis: Jesuit Social Services

Jesuit Social Services welcomes tonight’s Federal Budget as recognition of the structural inequalities contributing to disadvantage and the role safe, affordable and stable housing can play in supporting people to flourish.  

“It is encouraging to see reform of our tax system, which for too long has overwhelmingly benefitted the wealthy, along with a subsidy to help Youth Allowance and ABSTUDY recipients access community housing,” says Jesuit Social Services’ acting CEO Michael Livingstone.  

“Without access to stable housing it is near-impossible for marginalised people to escape entrenched disadvantage. It is vital that housing supports are targeted to go towards those most in need and these changes go some way to addressing that, including tax reforms to address intergenerational equality in the housing market.” 

Mr Livingstone also highlighted budget investment to reform employment services, saying “the budget also provides close to $300m over five years to reform the employment service system. While we will wait for further details, on face value this is a positive step forward, and we will continue to advocate for an employment service system that works for marginalised people and gives people better opportunities to thrive.” 

Beyond the important measures to reform the tax system, housing and employment services, Mr Livingstone says the budget missed opportunities to address poverty, demands on services, and the major social challenges facing communities.  

“Income support recipients are continuing to bear the brunt of our current cost-of-living crisis, and this budget is yet another missed opportunity to increase payments like JobSeeker, to ensure all members of the community can live life with dignity. 

“Tax cuts for working Australians will be welcomed by many, but these won’t benefit income support recipients, some of whom are already having to make significant sacrifices just to keep a roof over their heads.  

“Additionally, while we welcome continued investment to progress the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children, we would like to see more funding to prevent violence from occurring, at the heart of which is working with boys and men to change attitudes and behaviours as well as addressing the harm that often underpin violence.” 

Mr Livingstone also pointed to the lack of action to address systemic failures in justice systems across the country. 

“We continue to call for the federal government to show more leadership in the justice system. The way justice is being handled in some jurisdictions (like the Northern Territory) is causing unnecessary harm to those being caught up in it, with First Nations people among the very worst affected. To take Closing the Gap commitments seriously, its well and truly time for the Government to step in and invest in effective early intervention and prevention programs.” 

As outlined tonight, the Federal Government will seek to cut more than $36b from the NDIS over the next four years and the impacts of this are of concern to Jesuit Social Services, says Mr Livingstone. 

“Many in the community who rely on the NDIS are understandably worried about what these cuts will mean for them. We share their concern, and reiterate that the government must work to hold their trust by working closely with the disability community and key organisations as these changes come into effect, and ensure fairness and equity remain at the heart of the scheme.”