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A growing number of Australian workers are turning to charities for assistance due to pressures from the rising cost of living.
Key points:
- A growing number of workers are relying on charity donations
- OzHarvest's CEO says their funding is not meeting increased demand
- Federal independent Dai Le wants the government to introduce middle income tax offsets
OzHarvest, which collects surplus food from shops and restaurants and delivers it to charities, provided 30 million meals last year.
Founder Ronni Kahn has been concerned by the increase in demand, particularly from people who have jobs.
"In the last four to six months, with the cost-of-living rise, we have seen a 50 to 70 per cent increase in demand for our services," she told the ABC.
"And it's a new demographic, that's what is so extraordinary.
"50 per cent of the people we see have got a job, their salaries are just not covering rent, education, medication, fuel, energy, and food."
The latest figures from the Bureau of Statistics show inflation rose more than seven per cent over the year to November, with increases in groceries, transport and housing.
The ongoing consumer price increases have resulted in more workers seeking help.
OzHarvest supports between 1,800 to 2,000 charities but Ms Kahn said it can't assist more because of a funding shortfall.
"I am horrified to share with you that we have a waiting list in every major city of over 100 charitable organisations that we cannot reach," she said.
"The need has gone up so exponentially but the funding we receive has not gone up commensurate with that.
"Our funding now cannot reach and cover the need so there has to be an uplift in government funding, and we are preparing a submission for the next budget."
Tax changes needed says MP
Cost-of-living pressures has been the overwhelming main topic of conversation in Sydney's south west when Dai Le chats with her constituents.
The federal independent MP for Fowler said there are multiple pressures.
"When you ask how things are they say 'oh my gosh everything is so expensive,' that is the first thing that comes off their mouth, nothing else," she said.
"Grocery bills, electricity bills, their rent and petrol pricing."
Like OzHarvest, Ms Le said she's noticed an increase in people from double income households raising concerns about making ends meet.
"The people that actually approach me are parents that are working either as a tradesperson or they're working in a factory or their partner is a professional," she said.
Dai Le wants the government to re-introduce low and middle income tax offsets.
The temporary measure, which provided up to $1,500 back at tax time to people earning less than $126,000, ended last financial year.
Given the rising cost-of-living pressures, Dai Le said the government must reconsider.
"That will help them (low and middle income earners) in putting clothes on the kids and fuelling up their cars and buying groceries for the families," she said.
After handing down his first budget in October, Treasurer Jim Chalmers insisted the government wouldn't introduce measures that could increase inflation further.
"An indiscriminate spraying of cash would have made our inflation challenge more profound, more prolonged – ultimately, more painful for people," he said in October.
The government has instead focused on introducing programs to lower the cost of some goods and services such as medicines and childcare.
However Liberal Senator Jane Hume questioned what the government would do to address other immediate pressures.
"This government was elected on a promise to lower the cost of living and they assured Australians, time and time again, that they had a plan. Instead, we've seen inflation continue to rise and no plan from the government to tackle it," Ms Hume said.