“Wheres the respect” Vinnies asks Government on Quarantining

							                                                                     St Vincent de Paul Society
                                                                          ABN: 68 879 107 149
                                                                                       Unit 4-5
                                                                             22 Thesiger Court
                                                                              Deakin ACT 2600
                                                                                    PO Box 243
                                                                        Deakin West ACT 2600
                                                                    Telephone: (02) 6202 1200
                                                                     Facsimile: (02) 6285 0159



Media Release                             10 Feb 2010 For Immediate Release



“Where’s the respect?” Vinnies asks Government on
Quarantining


The St Vincent de Paul Society today welcomed the Federal Government’s move to
allow people doing it particularly tough to access their Centrelink payments on a
weekly, rather than fortnightly, basis.

“This is the kind of policy that is both respectful and responsive,” said National
Council Chief Executive, Dr John Falzon.

“We look forward to seeing more initiatives like this from the Federal Government,”
said National President Mr Syd Tutton.

“This puts some of the flesh on the bones of the Government’s Homelessness
Strategy,” Said Dr Falzon. “Our 40,000 members continue to be alarmed at the
persistence of poverty and inequality in Australia. We congratulate Ministers Macklin,
Plibersek and Bowen on this move.

“We also, however, reiterate our firm opposition to the Government’s plans to roll out
compulsory income management. This is a cynical manouevre to get around the
Racial Discrimination Act. Compulsory welfare quarantining, be it on the basis of
race or class, is neither respectful nor responsive. We are deeply worried about its
negative impacts on the lives of vulnerable people and its failure to actually address
the causes of poverty and inequality.”




Contact: Dr John Falzon 0421332247