Charity President Warns of Rising Cost of Living and Housing Strain in Australia

Jennifer Burton, president of the St Vincent de Paul Society's St Louis Conference, spoke from the organization's Tamworth office about the increasing need for public housing and increased welfare payments. She noted that the organization is currently supporting about 4500 people in the New England North West region due to cost-of-living pressures. Burton stated that the organization is seeing many individuals in their 30s, 40s, and 50s who are on Centrelink benefits while paying rent.

Polling conducted by the St Vincent de Paul Society found that 83 per cent of Australians agree they are spending more on groceries than they did a year ago. Additionally, 55 per cent of respondents said they are buying less food than they need, and 55 per cent said it is harder to keep essential items on hand.