Vote to end homelessness.
At Sacred Heart Mission, we are committed to strengthening communities through inclusion, empathy and social justice. As we work towards a future where everyone is respected and celebrated for who they are, advocacy is not just part of our vision; it’s the driving force behind creating lasting change.
This Federal Election, we are raising our voices for the people who need it most – our community. On this campaign page, you’ll discover the issues that matter deeply to us and the people we work with. We’ve also taken a close look at how the major parties’ promises align with our vision for a better, fairer future. You will also hear from our Executive Advisory Group on Lived Experience (EAGLE), on why voters should care about these issues.
Together, we can ensure that no one is left behind.
Our vision for a fair and inclusive society
Sacred Heart Mission embraces and celebrates the diversity of our staff, volunteers and service participants. We are committed to a culture of inclusion and to standing up to all forms of discrimination.
Our goal is to end homelessness, disadvantage, and social exclusion by empowering people and promoting fair, inclusive communities and services. We are passionate and united by this purpose.
We will continue to stand together as a strong community, support and uplift each other, elevate diverse voices and experiences and create opportunities for all people to thrive.
Election day is Saturday X May. Below, you’ll discover the issues that matter deeply to us and the people we work with. Underneath each issue area we have also tracked how the major parties’ promises align with our vision for a better, fairer future.
More social housing
“Your vote can change legislation and strengthen social housing commitments. It needs to meet today’s needs. Waiting 15 years for housing is totally unacceptable. Everyone deserves the right to have a safe home.” – Executive Advisory Group on Lived Experience (EAGLE)
At least 640,000 Australian households have housing needs that are not currently being met – they are experiencing homelessness, in overcrowded homes, or spending more of 30% of income on housing.
Investing in social housing saves the government money in the long term – underinvesting in social housing costs us $676.5 million per year.
We need the Federal Government to build 25,000 social housing properties every year.
By doing so, we will generate an economic output of $12.7 billion will be generated, creating 15,700 jobs and adding $4.7 billion to GDP.
What each party is promising on social housing
Increase income support
“Proper income support allows people to heal and live with the dignity, which is a human right. We proved that increasing income support during Covid dramatically reduced poverty. We’ve done it before, we can do it again.” – Executive Advisory Group on Lived Experience (EAGLE)
Australia’s income support payments are completely inadequate to cover the basics – the JobSeeker payment is just 43% of the minimum wage, or $56 per day. This impacts around 1 million Australians receiving either JobSeeker or Youth Allowance.
Of people receiving the JobSeeker Payment:
- 52% are 45 years or older
- 44% have a disability or illness that prevents them from being able to work full-time
- 72% have had to rely on income support for 12 months or more
The current rate causes people to live in poverty, and prevents them from finding work, somewhere to live, health care and medicine.
We need to lift the JobSeeker payment to at least $82 per day.
- Increasing income support payments would make the biggest contribution to ending homelessness. By the year 2032, this would reduce homelessness by almost 48,000 households.
- Australia’s income support system, particularly the Jobseeker payment, is the lowest in the OECD and is too low to avert poverty. Over 1 million Jobseeker recipients and their families are in rental stress and vulnerable to homelessness.
- In 2020, when income support was briefly increased, severe rent stress among families with children dropped by 80 per cent – proving that raising the rate is the right thing to do to reduce poverty in Australia.
What each party is promising on income support
Improve health care access
“Better access to health services allows people the support they need to heal from their ‘backpack of traumas’. More bulk-billing, cheaper medicines, and mental health services are proven to cost society less in the long run, and will make everyone healthier.” – Executive Advisory Group on Lived Experience (EAGLE)
Ensure people experiencing homelessness receive the physical and mental health support they need.
- The experience of homelessness provides an immediate risk to people’s health, with potential long-term impacts including trauma and premature ageing and mortality. But the health needs of people who are experiencing or have experienced homelessness are often not met, not available or accessible.
- Up to 40% of deaths amongst those with histories of homelessness are the result of ‘treatable illnesses’.
- Accurate data is needed on how health inequalities for people experiencing homelessness is leading to premature death and denying people the right to live a good life.
What each party is promising on health care
Climate action
“Lack of action on climate crisis leads to fire, floods and cyclones and places more people into homelessness. As these disasters increase, more people will need housing in the future. This housing must be future-proof and meet the highest climate and energy standards. We need climate action now.” – Executive Advisory Group on Lived Experience
We know that people experiencing poverty and disadvantage are impacted by climate change first, worst and longest because they have access to fewer resources to cope, adapt and recover.
- The climate crisis has severe impacts on health outcomes, livelihood and housing insecurity.
- People already experiencing deep disadvantage will be further left behind, and response and advocacy is essential in addressing this.
- We need mandatory minimum energy performance standards, and targeted support for low-income households to invest in energy-saving measures like solar panels, electric appliances, and better insulation.
What each party promising on climate action
What’s happened since the last election in 2022?
Social and affordable housing:
- Passing laws to create a $10 billion investment fund called the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) – it has a goal to build 20,000 new social homes and 10,000 new affordable homes across Australia over five years.
- Created a new agreement with the States & Territories called the National Housing Accord to build more affordable housing – $350 million over five years.
- Gave $2 billion to the States & Territories for social housing investment in 2023.
- Developed a new National Housing and Homelessness Plan.
- Continued and expanded the Home Guarantee Scheme – helping households buy a home with a smaller deposit, and the government buying some of the equity.
Income support recipients:
- Increase to Commonwealth Rent Assistance (15% in 2023, and 10% in 2024)
- Energy bill relief across previous two budgets
- The JobSeeker payment was increased by $20 per week, from September 2023. Long term jobseekers over the age of 55 receive higher pay rates.
- Increased eligibility for the Single Parenting Payment – until the youngest child turns 14 (previously eight years old).
General cost-of-living relief:
- Discounts on energy bills – one off payments
- Changes to the Stage 3 tax cuts, which provided some support to middle-income earners; and less for those on higher incomes than was planned under the previous government.
- Changes to student debt indexation, and payments for students while undertaking professional placements for some degrees.
5 things you can do
If you are currently experiencing homelessness or have no fixed address you can find out how to register for voting or where to vote on the Australian Electoral Commission website.