In his budget reply speech, opposition leader Peter Dutton has pledged $50 million to food charities across Australia to help combat growing pressures in the cost of living crisis.
With the election looming, one of the key focuses is the best approach to alleviating effects of the cost of living crisis. In his speech to Parliament, Dutton argued that due to so many Australians facing cost of living pressures, Australian charities are also being hit hard.
“Amidst Labor’s cost-of-living pressures, charities are experiencing increased demand – including from Australians who have never previously relied on that support,” Mr Dutton said in an address to Australian voters.
The Food Bank Hunger Report from 2024 states that food insecurity has hit a “critical tipping point” . Many low-income households are struggling to provide food, with 34 per cent of households on an income less than $30 000, now being considered ‘severely’ food insecure.
Food security for Australian households – almost equal percentages for severely food insecure households and highly food secure households
This is a trend that has grown in recent years, particularly with a spike during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many charities said that there was an increase in people experiencing food insecurity and this trajectory has only continued.
Note: Increasing amount of households experiencing food insecurity from 2020-2024
This is an issue that affects UOW students, who even with initiatives like Pulse Pantry, are still feeling the pinch in their pockets. UOW student Olivia Kent often finds it hard to balance studies and managing finances.
“It’s great that the university provides these services, it can be hard otherwise to stay afloat,” Ms Kent said.
With the upcoming election, this is a topic that will be at the forefront of people’s minds.
“It’s definitely something that I’m worried about and it will impact my vote,” she said.
“There’s a lot of debate from both sides and I’m going to try and use my vote to try and make a difference.”
Voters will head to the polls on May 3.
