Poverty on the increase in Indi - Zuvele Leschen
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures show that families in Indi are slipping further into poverty.
In 2001, the median weekly family income for families in the electorate was $804. In 2006, this figure is $837 – a rise of only $33 over five years, less than $7 per year. This equates to income growth of less than 1% per year.
Inflation during the same period has risen by 14.5%.
“These figures put paid to the idea that the only reason that families in the area are struggling is that they’ve spent their money extravagantly, or taken on too much debt,” Zuvele Leschen, the ALP candidate for Indi, said.
“The increase in employment in the same period also shows it’s not just a matter of people getting a job, either. People have jobs, and their income simply isn’t keeping pace with inflation.”
Indi families are faring poorly compared with others in Australia, the ABS figures also show. In 2001, Indi ranked 116/150 in terms of median weekly family incomes; it has now fallen to 119/150.
“All of this means that the Prime Minister’s recent remarks – that people cannot possibly be in poverty, because more of them are employed – are very worrying for this electorate,” Zuvele Leschen said.
“The first step you must take to solve a problem is to admit it exists. If the Prime Minister is unable to admit that electorates like Indi are struggling, then the problems we face will not be solved.”
In 2001, the median weekly family income for families in the electorate was $804. In 2006, this figure is $837 – a rise of only $33 over five years, less than $7 per year. This equates to income growth of less than 1% per year.
Inflation during the same period has risen by 14.5%.
“These figures put paid to the idea that the only reason that families in the area are struggling is that they’ve spent their money extravagantly, or taken on too much debt,” Zuvele Leschen, the ALP candidate for Indi, said.
“The increase in employment in the same period also shows it’s not just a matter of people getting a job, either. People have jobs, and their income simply isn’t keeping pace with inflation.”
Indi families are faring poorly compared with others in Australia, the ABS figures also show. In 2001, Indi ranked 116/150 in terms of median weekly family incomes; it has now fallen to 119/150.
“All of this means that the Prime Minister’s recent remarks – that people cannot possibly be in poverty, because more of them are employed – are very worrying for this electorate,” Zuvele Leschen said.
“The first step you must take to solve a problem is to admit it exists. If the Prime Minister is unable to admit that electorates like Indi are struggling, then the problems we face will not be solved.”
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posted by Greg Naylor at
6:05 PM
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