In the first wave of the COVID pandemic, our community and our governments quickly realised that we would all do better if we worked together. For a precious six months in 2020, as we responded to the Alpha wave, we prioritised health, reduced poverty through the introduction of the Coronavirus Supplement, saved over 700,000 jobs, and found safe accommodation for people sleeping on the streets. It wasn’t perfect but we were proud of what we had done. Proud knowing that, in this moment of crisis, Australia was a community where those who needed help would receive it from their community.
The subsequent two years and successive waves of COVID-19 have been a different story.
The Federal Government rolled back many of these supports and failed to protect those most in need, saying it was time for the government to get out of the way.
Australia is far from finished with this pandemic and our future challenges are significant. We are facing surging housing costs, increasing poverty, persistent inequality, including gender inequality, a rapidly heating world, and more frequent extreme weather events.
To find out more about what we want the next government to deliver, see the ACOSS Policy Platform below.
Click to view
Click to view
Click to view
Click to view
Click to view
Click to view
Click to view
Who is ACOSS?
ACOSS is the peak body of the community services sector and the national voice for the needs of people affected by poverty and inequality.
Our vision is for a fair, inclusive and sustainable Australia, where all individuals and communities can participate in and benefit from social and economic life.