The Liberal attack on our country’s most vulnerable at the tailend of the Election Campaign provides a consistent ending to a campaign that began with Member for Braddon Brett Whiteley’s characterisation of Newstart recipients as ‘off their heads on drugs’.
TasCOSS acting CEO Jo Flanagan said Tasmanians were sick of politics that sought to divide communities and turns neighbours against each other.
“TasCOSS expects Tasmanian politicians, candidates and representatives to show integrity and leadership on the social issues that affect so many Tasmanians every day,” Ms Flanagan said.
“The Coalition government’s re-election campaign has lacked true leadership in creating a sustainable social vision for the future that is inclusive of all members of society.
“Tasmanians want leadership that creates a culture of opportunity and aspiration and that can bring people together and apply good public policy to complex challenges to turn around long-term, entrenched issues.
“Divisive politics gets us nowhere. This is the time to show leadership and integrity and put forth a bold social vision that tackles housing affordability, healthcare, job opportunities and transport infrastructure.
“Reaching economic surplus will not help vulnerable Tasmanians living on programs like Newstart—people who have to choose between heating their houses and putting food on the table.”
Ms Flanagan said Tasmanians deserved better than simplistic and populist politics that continud to stigmatise people legally entitled to access assistance and support from the Federal Government.
“People who access programs such as Newstart are human beings and deserve better than being set up as the ‘baddies’ who will be persecuted to serve the budget’s bottom line.
“We know that the whole of society benefits socially, politically and economically when the gap between the rich and the poor is closed. In the final stages of the election campaign it is up to the Federal Members of Parliament to remember that a strong social fabric is the only way to ensure social, political and economic security for everyone into the future.”
TasCOSS represents Tasmania’s social service sector and advocates on behalf of vulnerable and disadvantaged Tasmanians.
TasCOSS acting CEO Jo Flanagan
