Election 2019 – what do your candidates stand for?
.jpg)
Election 2019 – what do your candidates stand for?
6 May 2019
As Salvos, we are committed to transforming Australia – and right now is the time. We want to build a country that reflects the Kingdom of God on Earth.
There is never a bad time to ask politicians what they are doing to address disadvantage in Australia, but no time is quite as good as just before an election.
Right now, election candidates are eager to hear about what matters most to their communities, and millions of Australians are deciding what kind of country they want to live in.
As Salvos, we are committed to transforming Australia – and right now is the time. We want to build a country that reflects the Kingdom of God on Earth.
The Salvation Army will never tell people how they should vote. Instead we ask that before you vote, you get in contact with your local candidates.
Ask them what they are going to do about disadvantage and inequality in Australia if they are elected. Not only does asking questions help people make up their minds, it also lets our future leaders know that these issues matter – that a fair and just society matters.
The Salvation Army has created a website to help people do just this.
There are five issues on which federal politicians can take immediate action to reduce disadvantage in Australia. We are encouraging everyone to ask their local candidates:
• Is your party committed to an immediate increase to Newstart and the establishment of independent mechanisms to ensure welfare payments are fair?
• Is your party committed to delivering a national housing strategy that will meet Australia’s identified shortfall of 500,000 social and affordable rental homes?
• How will your party prioritise prevention, early intervention and advocacy campaigns to change community attitudes and underlying drivers of family violence?
• Is your party committed to deliveringfully funded, evidence-based responses to substance use disorders?
• What commitment is your party making to support job seekers find employment?
The Policy and Advocacy team at The Salvation Army is interested in the response you get. You can let us know by responding HERE.
This information will help us to be more strategic in how we advocate for Australia’s most vulnerable people.
There are 195 seats (House of Representatives and Senate) being contested in this election. There are more than 30,000 Salvos in Australia.
Together, we can let every candidate seeking federal office in 2019 know that they need to take action on the issues that matter most to us as Salvos, as we support those who are experiencing hardship and injustice.
What else can I do?
1. Learn more by going to salvationarmy.org.au/ election2019
2. Contact the candidate in your electorate and let us know how they answer your questions
3. Spread the word by posting the link to our website on your social media accounts and raise awareness.
Jennifer Kirkaldy is the General Manager of Policy and Advocacy, The Salvation Army Policy, Research and Social Justice Department.
Comments
No comments yet - be the first.