Anglicare WA CEO Mark Glasson highlighted the struggles many Western Australians face during the festive season due to the rising cost of living and lack of affordable housing.
In a recent interview with The Sunday Times, Anglicare WA CEO Mark Glasson highlighted the struggles many Western Australians face during the festive season due to the rising cost of living and lack of affordable housing.
Christmas Challenges
“Christmas isn’t always merry. More and more people across the state are struggling with the rising cost of living and lack of affordable housing, and making tough choices every day. This festive season, there will be families having to decide between paying the rent or presents, or whether to forgo a prescription for Christmas dinner,” Glasson stated.
"This festive season there will be families having to decide between paying the rent or presents, or whether to forgo a prescription for Christmas dinner."
Election Season Focus
As the election season approaches, Glasson emphasised the need for both State and Federal Governments to be bold in addressing financial pressures and growing wealth inequality. “Governments have made some really positive announcements so far, but both the State and Federal Governments need to be bold and show their commitment to addressing financial pressures and growing wealth inequality,” he said.
"Governments need to be bold and show their commitment to addressing financial pressures and growing wealth inequality."
Proposed Solutions
Glasson called for a boost to targeted energy, utility, and rent relief programs in the short term, and long-term tax reform initiatives. He suggested expanding the eligibility for the Financial Wellbeing Collective’s Hardship Utility Grants Scheme and providing targeted emergency payments for low-income households with high energy and water debts.
“We’d also call for targeted emergency payments of up to $1000 for low-income households with high energy and water debts, removing all fees for small scheduled utility bill repayments, more support for water efficiency in low-income households, and the continuation of the Energy Ahead program beyond 2025,” Glasson added.
"We’d also call for targeted emergency payments of up to $1000 for low-income households with high energy and water debts."
Looking to the future, Glasson advocated for tax reforms to make housing investments fairer, including reducing the Capital Gains Tax discount and targeting Negative Gearing on social housing investment.
Anglicare WA continues to push for comprehensive measures to alleviate the financial burdens on Western Australians and ensure a fairer and more equitable society.
