Charities Christmas Cry for Help

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It’s the season of giving, but this year many can’t afford to. With the spiralling cost of living stretching household budgets to the limit this Christmas, many Australian families who previously contributed to charities will instead be relying upon them. New Salvation Army research reveals more than two million Australians will be reaching out to charities for support this festive season. It found that 99 percent of its clients are worried about how they will pay for Christmas, while six in 10 will struggle to afford presents for their children. The Salvation Army’s Major Bruce Harmer said the not-for-profit organisation was experiencing a “tsunami of need” and is deeply concerned to hear about the agonising choices everyday Australians are being forced to make. Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury Senator Dean Smith echoed these concerns as Christmas approaches. “Cost of living pressures are bearing down on Australians right across the nation – whether it’s at the bowser or the supermarket, or paying their rent,” he said. “At a time when people should be enjoying themselves with family and friends, they are instead having to face some very harsh realities. “This is compounded by a lack of adequate cost of living support from the Albanese Government, whose recent Budget let down struggling Australians.” Foodbank, Australia’s largest food relief organisation, reports that people are seeking help earlier than usual, as surging costs combine with the usual end-of-year demands on family budgets. CEO Brianna Casey said the organisation has also seen a noticeable shift in the types of people needing assistance – noting many customers have never needed food relief before. Western Australian suicide prevention service Lifeline WA has been swamped with financial distress calls, again prompted by mounting cost of living pressures. The organisation recently revealed it received close to 290 calls, texts and web chats from Western Australians in distress every day in November, representing the busiest month in Lifeline WA’s history. A total of 8,647 crisis alerts across 30 days was an increase of 66 percent compared to November last year. “Charities are on the frontline of support for the most vulnerable in our communities,” Senator Smith said. “As the cost of living crisis continues, the need for these support services is rising rapidly. “A meaningful plan to ease these pressures, rather than spin and broken promises, is required. “That’s what Anthony Albanese should be doing for Australians this Christmas.” Meanwhile, Senator Smith called on Australians doing it tough to share their experiences by making a submission to the Senate Cost of Living Committee. “Prior to holding hearings around Australia next year, we want to hear from as many people as possible about the challenges they are facing and what we can most effectively do to assist them,’ he said. ENDS

Multi-partisan group to support Australia’s charity sector

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A new Parliamentary friendship group, comprised of Federal Parliamentarians from different political orientations, has been formed to champion Australian charities and not-for-profit organisations. Although they play a critical role in assisting communities and represent the spirit of giving that defines the Australian character, charities and not-for-profits are too easily – and too often – overlooked. The Parliamentary Friends of the Charitable, Not-for-Profit and Philanthropic Community has recently been established to address this situation, and to showcase the sector’s vital work across our country and the world. Co-Chaired by WA Senator Dean Smith, the Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury, and Tasmanian Senator Catryna Bilyk, the Group will provide a platform for the sector to maximise its Parliamentary engagement. Charities, not-for-profit and philanthropic groups can use the Group to launch key reports, strategies and other initiatives. Senator Smith said he was delighted to be part of establishing this much-needed Group. “Charities and not-for-profit organisations improve the lives of millions of people every day,” he said. “Whether it is responding to floods, bushfires or other natural disasters, or emerging from an unprecedented global pandemic, Australia is incredibly well served by its charities, not-for-profits and other philanthropy. “This Group has been set up to increase awareness of the issues facing the sector and lead a national discussion on addressing them.” Senator Catryna Bilyk said the vital function of charities and not‑for‑profits has been highlighted by the COVID pandemic, recent flood and fire natural disasters, and the cost‑of‑living crisis. “Charities and not‑for‑profits are being squeezed at both ends—facing emerging challenges engaging volunteers and donors while the demand for their services is increasing,” Senator Bilyk said. “In the face of these challenges, it is important for our Federal parliamentarians to work together across party lines to find new and innovative ways to support charities and not‑for‑profits as they navigate this rapidly changing landscape.” The most recent ACNC Australian Charities Report shows total revenue in the charity sector rose to $176 billion – an increase of $10 billion on the previous year. And the sector remains hugely important economically, employing almost 1.4 million people – or 10.5 percent of all employees in Australia. “The generosity of Australians in recent times, both as donors and volunteers, has been remarkable,” Senator Smith said. “But many challenges remain, both for the sector and the Australian and global communities they assist, and we must do all we can to support our charities and not‑for‑profits as they navigate them.” “Australians pride themselves on values such as mateship, egalitarianism and ‘going for the underdog’,” Senator Bilyk said. “It is vital that we maintain a strong charities and not-for-profits sector if we want to live in a world that is caring and socially connected. “Having a Parliamentary friendship group for this sector recognises the vital role it has in upholding the values that Australians hold dear.”

Seeking WA Input on Relieving Cost of Living Stress

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Western Australians struggling with the rising cost of living are invited to share their experiences with a Senate Committee tasked with exploring the escalating crisis. The Coalition recently voted to establish the Select Committee on the Cost of Living, aimed at better understanding cost of living pressure points and developing sensible solutions to ease them. Senator for Western Australia Dean Smith joins Shadow Finance Minister Senator Jane Hume on the Committee, each representing both the Coalition and its Shadow Economic Team. Members of the public, businesses, charities and not-for-profit organisations, the construction, banking, energy and agricultural sectors are among those being asked to make submissions to the Committee, which will also investigate the Albanese Government’s fiscal policy response to the crisis. In addition to holding public hearings, the Committee will visit communities across the State and country to learn from Australians first-hand. Senator Smith called for a broad range of Western Australian submissions. “The skyrocketing cost of living and its associated challenges are the biggest issue currently facing Australians and I am interested in hearing from a WA perspective, especially those living in regional areas of our State,” Senator Smith said. “The seriousness of the situation facing local families, businesses and organisations makes the establishment and work of the Cost of Living Committee vitally important. “All of these stakeholders have been abandoned by Labor, which failed the Budget test last week by not delivering an adequate cost of living relief plan.” The Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed an annual increase of between nine and 10 percent in food prices across household types nationally, with fruit and vegetables up 15.5 percent in WA, and fuel prices rising around 18 percent. As the Coalition’s spokesperson on charities, Senator Smith said he was also heavily focused on the effect of high inflation and living costs on organisations in that sector. An Anglicare Report released as part of Anti-Poverty Week found dramatic rises in the cost of living, particularly in rent, are driving an ever-growing demand for its services. The need for half of Anglicare’s services jumped by one-third or more. Similarly, Foodbank’s annual Hunger Report found 21 percent of Australians – more than 2 million people – had experienced severe food insecurity in the past 12 months. This figure was up from 17 percent in its 2021 Report. “Climbing living costs have seen many charities and non-for-profits experiencing an unprecedented upswing in demand,” Senator Smith said. “We want to hear from the charity and philanthropic sector, with all its experience and insight, about how we can best navigate this situation together. “The pressure on low-income earners in particular has never been greater and, especially in the absence of meaningful support from Labor, we must explore every responsible relief option possible.” The Committee is calling for submissions by 10 March 2023 and is due to table its final report later in the year. Further information about the Committee, including the terms of reference and how to make a submission are available at: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Cost_of_Living/costofliving

Senate Contribution – Sir David Smith

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Very honoured to pay tribute to the life of Sir David Smith in the Senate.

Sir David, who died earlier this year, served as Official Secretary to five Governors-General of Australia – a role in which he also worked closely with our late Queen.

He became a leading voice for the Monarchist cause during the Republican debates in the 1990’s and beyond, and was a man who never wavered from his beliefs.