The Salvation Army calls on government to make poverty key election issue

The Salvation Army wants both sides of politics to make poverty a key election issue after a new report showed many of their clients were living on less than $17 a day.

The charity’s fifth National Economic and Social Impact Survey of more than 1600 people who use their services found that those receiving government benefits have $16.96 a day, or $119 a week, to live on after paying for housing expenses.

Newstart recipients were worse off with only $15.29 a day, or $107 a week, after paying for accommodation.

“The key findings of a horrific new report paint a bleak picture of what real life is like for Australians on the breadline,” the Salvation Army’s Major Bruce Harmer said.

“We cannot keep putting a band-aid on disadvantage. We need serious funding to develop innovative solutions to the complex issues of entrenched poverty.”

Harmer said the results of the survey were shameful.

“We need leadership and action from all levels of government,” said Harmer.

“It shows the real level of struggle taking place in our lucky country.”

Nearly one-in-five clients surveyed are homeless or living in temporary accommodation.

Family violence was the leading cause of housing transiency among women.

The report showed one-in-five parents cannot afford medical treatment or medicines that are prescribed for their child and 42 per cent can’t afford a yearly dental check-up.

Half of the respondents of the survey had gone without meals and cut down on basic necessities.

The report also found indigenous people and those living in rural and regional areas were over-represented in measures of poverty.

Harmer said the Salvos’ Red Shield Appeal Doorknock will visit homes across Australia on Saturday and Sunday to raise funds to boost domestic violence and family support services.