Uniting Church President: poverty figures are a scandal

Australians have lost the plot in caring for those most disadvantaged, said Uniting Church President Rev Gregor Henderson while launching the ACOSS Australia Fair program.

Mr Henderson described the latest poverty figures during the current period of economic prosperity and stability as a scandal.

“I call on Government and Opposition to take this latest update of rising levels of poverty very seriously indeed,” Mr Henderson said.

“It gives Australia a very poor scorecard – what policies will our political leaders put in place to bring us up the ladder?

“It’s a sad fact that there’s very little difference between our major political parties on their policies towards poverty and disadvantage.”

Mr Henderson said that Australians believe passionately in a fair go, in supporting the underdog, in barracking for those who are down.

“Surely this is a time for our political leaders to take much more of a lead in sharing the wealth of this country with those who most need a leg-up. And not in ways that are patronising or punitive or heavy-handed, but in ways that are consultative, collaborative and genuinely caring.

“We want a more caring society, a more compassionate society, a more just society.”

Photo : Uniting Church President Rev Gregor Henderson