UFS chief Lynne McLennan has issued an urgent appeal on the federal government to increase the JobSeeker rate in what she says has fast become a health crisis.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The community-based mutual health organisation has launched a campaign in partnership with Uniting Ballarat, lobbying the government for change, as the crippling effects of the severed coronavirus supplement are increasingly felt among the most vulnerable across this region.
Uniting Ballarat alone has reported a double in people seeking emergency relief since the latest changes in JobSeeker payments. This includes a sharp rise in working families needing help for basic food supplies.
Ms McLennan said staff across UFS' pharmacy, medical and allied health services were seeing the increasing health impacts on people who rely on income support - many left to forgo vital care and medications - and it was not good enough.
You can't put money into mental health and other health services if people can't eat properly. That's a health issue. You need to put money into the basics first.
- Lynne McLennan, UFS chief executive officer
"At the moment we're seeing a dire need. It's an absolute disgrace that in a civilised society that people on income support don't have enough for basic needs of foods and medicine," Ms McLennan said.
"You can't put money into mental health and other health services if people can't eat properly. That's a health issue. You need to put money into the basics first."
UFS and Uniting Ballarat are calling on the federal government to lift the JobSeeker payments by $100 per week. This comes after a $25 weekly rise to $620.80 per fortnight, or $43.57 per day, which was below the coronavirus supplement and clear below the $275 extra from March last year, with the beginning of the pandemic.
Ms McLennan urged Ballarat people to help take action by writing to their local members of parliament, federal social services minister Anne Ruston and federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg.
She reiterated good health outcomes were dependent on people being able to afford stable housing, healthy and sufficient food, and the ability to participate in society and build community connections. Let alone, Ms McLennan said, the out-of-pocket expenses from necessary health services like psychology.
UFS also this week made a $5000 cash donation to Uniting Ballarat for emergency relief food supplies.
The donation helped fill Uniting's fridges that stood empty on Monday and also to provide a range of fresh fruit and vegetables.
IN OTHER NEWS
Uniting Ballarat emergency welfare worker Tania Jennings said supplies were particularly scarce this winter with the ripple effects from the pandemic continuing to play out and many people less able to be in a position to donate.
Ms Jennings said a sharp rise in client demand coincided with changes in JobSeeker payments, which had otherwise kept numbers of people needing support from Uniting steady last year.
"We're always looking for donations - cash donations or non-perishable food donations," Ms Jennings said. "Even if people put a couple of extra items in their groceries to donate each week, it would make a difference."
If you are seeing this message you are a loyal digital subscriber to The Courier, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thank you very much for your support and allowing us to continue telling Ballarat's story. We appreciate your support of journalism in our great city.
