The documentary TV series Struggle Street might have galvanised plenty of small-screen viewers, but it merely mirrors what struggles are going on in thousands of streets around our country.
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Disturbing new research from the Salvation Army paints an even bleaker picture of the extent of marginalised residents in regional areas.
It shows graphically how many people are going without meals, and reveals how a lot of people have virtually nothing left to live off after they have paid for their accommodation.
More than 2400 people at 262 Salvation Army centres were surveyed for the latest economic and social impact survey, most between the ages of 25 and 59.
Results show that, on average, people had just under $18 a day to live on to buy everything they needed after accommodation expenses, and 25 per cent of them went without at least one substantial meal a day.
Obviously, the survey doesn’t necessarily represent middle Australia but Salvos’ clients, so 87 per cent of adults and 60 per cent of children surveyed reported severe deprivation.
Nearly one in six said their financial situation was worse than last year, and the Salvos estimate 2.5 million Australians live below the poverty line – including 603,000 children.
The new report calls for “a further shift in social policy direction led by the federal government to address the causes of persistent and chronic disadvantage across our communities.”
In the light of the detail now being revealed – not just from the tough 2014 federal budget but also from the hidden costs in the much fairer, families-first type budget of three weeks ago – it is incumbent on governments to not deliberately add to this burden.
Of the 2864 children represented in the survey, 65 per cent of their parents were not able to afford out-of-school activities. Six out of 10 parents said they couldn’t afford an internet connection and 34 per cent couldn’t afford to give children fresh fruit or vegetables daily.
Major Bruce Harmer from The Salvation Army, and a former Tamworth resident and army officer, is just one deeply alarmed at the results.
He says, echoing the thoughts of many, that issues around poverty and deprivation are often reduced to questions of a job or welfare crisis.
He argues the foundations of a virtuous and worthy society are social inclusiveness, adequate support for the disadvantaged and personal safety.
It is an ideal most fair-minded souls would support.
