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“While Wesley Mission welcomes the Government’s initiatives on dental health care, rural counselling services and the support of those who care for the elderly this is largely a budget for those who are in the workforce and not for those who are marginalised or excluded,” said the Rev Keith Garner, CEO of Wesley Mission, Sydney. 

“There are no initiatives to address the desperate need for more public housing and affordable accommodation for low income earners. Supported accommodation – which is so vital in helping those with a mental illness or the long term homeless integrate back into the community – is silently and sadly missing from this budget. 

“This is a budget for the haves – those who have a job – and not for the long term unemployed or those struggling to make ends meet such as sole parents and the non-working poor. 

“The increase in rebates for child care is to be applauded but the glaring fact remains that there are not enough child care places in this country to meet the needs of working families. We need a long term, family-friendly solution to this social problem, especially when the Government is encouraging women to retrain and re-enter the workforce. 

“Wesley Mission would also welcome greater funding for financial counselling and financial education services across Australia – not just in rural areas. A recent Wesley Mission report found that low income urban Australia is suffering financial stress, many people find it hard to budget and many households are on the brink – 15 per cent of households would not be able to cope with a $40 increase in expenses.” 

Wesley Mission is one of Australia’s largest charities with more than 3000 staff and 3000 volunteers.

Further information or interviews with the Rev Keith Garner please contact:

Graeme Cole
Public Affairs Manager
Wesley Mission
0408 470 722