The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified many of the pre-existing challenges experienced by people on the margins of society. These challenges include homelessness and housing stress, family violence, insecure employment, and poverty.
The climate crisis continues alongside the pandemic, with 2021 recorded as one of the hottest years on record. Like COVID-19, climate change is disproportionately affecting the people we work with.
In light of this, we welcomed the opportunity to make a submission to the Treasury’s Pre-Budget 2022-23 consultation. In our submission, we advocate for the Government to reduce inequity, exclusion and ecological injustice, and enable people to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.
Summary of our recommendations
- Commit to an ecologically just and sustainable future by implementing a renewables-led recovery and resourcing climate change adaptation, mitigation and transformation activities.
- Empower people to reach their full potential by increasing the stock of safe, sustainable and energy-efficient social housing, and ensuring a fair system of social and employment support.
- Make greater efforts to understand and respond to male violence and other harmful behaviours.
- Take a more compassionate approach to people seeking asylum and refugees by strengthening community-based supports, increasing Australia’s humanitarian intake, and investing more in settlement services.
