RISING interest rates will put additional pressure on vulnerable Australians already struggling to survive as prices surge, wages stagnate and safe, secure housing slips further from reach.

St Vincent de Paul Society national president Claire Victory said, "Today’s rate rise will be another kick in the teeth for Australians living in poverty, who are already stretching every dollar to its limit.

"The surging cost-of-living, shortage of affordable housing, increasingly insecure work and stagnant wages are making it all-but impossible for a growing number of Australians to survive.

"Today’s interest rate hike will add to these pressures and disproportionately impact the most vulnerable people in the community, who are already struggling to get by, often with limited family or social support networks," Ms Victory said.

The St Vincent de Paul Society has released a suite of simple, compassionate and affordable polices in the lead up to the federal election and is urging parties and candidates to put Australians in need at the heart of their campaigns.

The cost of implementing these policies involves modest reforms to superannuation and taxation, asking only the most well-off and able to afford it, to pay a little more, according to the Society.

"Vinnies has stood by Australians in need for more than 170 years, providing emergency relief, housing, and other support services," Ms Victory said.

"Our election statement, A Fairer Australia, is informed by our members' experience meeting and helping Australians in need, and offers practical solutions to address widening inequality in households and communities, and lift many people out of poverty.

"We are calling on parties and candidates to take urgent action in the remaining weeks of the campaign to support Australians living in, or at risk of falling into, poverty," Ms Victory said.

More information on Vinnies' plans for A Fairer Australia and a fairer tax and welfare system: www.vinnies.org.au

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NOMINATIONS are now open for the prestigious Melbourne Awards, recognising the positive contributions of individuals and organisations to the local community. 

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said this year's Melbourne Awards would mark 20 years of celebrating locals shaping the city for the better. 

“The Melbourne Awards are our city’s highest accolade, recognising the talented Melburnians who make extraordinary contributions to our community," Cr Capp said.

“Over the past two decades, we’ve been shining a light on the incredible work of so many Victorians who have gone above and beyond to drive innovation, create inclusive communities, ignite our creative sector and share ideas about the future of our city. 

“Our people make our city the great place that it is, and we want to showcase their efforts. If you know an inspirational Melburnian, nominate their work for a Melbourne Award.” 

There are eight categories for the 2022 Melbourne Awards: 

• Community – celebrating projects and activities that enhance the wellbeing of residents. 
• Knowledge and Innovation – recognising bold ideas shaping the city’s bright future. 
• Arts and Events – highlighting work to build Melbourne’s reputation as Australia’s cultural capital. 
• Urban Design – showcasing projects and organisations that are shaping the city’s skyline. 
• Hospitality – acknowledging the restaurants, bars and hospitality venues creating unforgettable experiences. 
• Sustainability – focusing on positive contributions to the environment and initiatives that educate, connect and inspire others. 
• Aboriginal Melbourne - Ganbu Guljin – promoting work that improves cultural understanding and supports the Aboriginal community. 
• LGBTIQ+ – shining a light on efforts to support and promote diversity, social connection and participation.

Previous Melbourne Award winners include the creators of compostable cling wrap, the developers of an app to support health care workers, and a program supporting Aboriginal art in prison. 

Applications for the 2022 Melbourne Awards are open from May 2 to June 30. For more information or to nominate someone, visit the Melbourne Awards website. 

Winners will be announced at the Melbourne Awards ceremony in November as part of a special televised broadcast on Channel 9. 

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THEE $220 million announcement by the Federal Government to support Aussie timber production, manufacturing and research is good news for builders, according to Master Builders Australia.

“Master Builders has been calling for this type of action to address timber shortages in the future and boost local industry capability,” Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn said.

“The acute shortage of timber and reliance on imports to meet excess demand has contributed to massive spikes in the price of timber.

“We do not have enough planation timber to supply housing needs in the future,” Ms Wawn said.  

“It’s in Australia’s national interest to secure our local timber supply by ensuring our timber plantation stock can meet future housing demand.

“A joint report released last year by Master Builders Australia (MBA)  and the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) shows Australia is headed towards a major cliff in timber framing production, concluding we will be 250,000 house frames short by 2035 – the equivalent of the cities of Newcastle and Geelong combined,” she said.

“In Australia, there is one company in WA manufacturing laminated veneer lumber (LVL) timber. We should have the local capability here in Australia to do more manufacturing of structural engineered wood products.

“More also needs to be done to address shortages, cost increases and delays causing the current cost and cashflow crunch being experiencd by the industry,” Ms Wawn said.

In response to trades and materials pressures facing the construction sector, Master Builders is seeking the following from government:

• · Incentives to improve sovereign capacity in product supply.
• · Better coordination with industry, states, and territories to facilitate greater investment in softwood plantations to meet long-term structural timber needs.
• · Government taking a more active role in enabling trade access arrangements for imported building products.
• · Investment in and boosting Australian building product manufacturing and product appraisal/traceability capabilities.

www.masterbuilders.com.au

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THE Smart Energy Council has slammed the Morrison Government’s announcement of $250 million to oil refineries as a “drop in the refinery in response to a fuel security crisis”.

“Providing $250 million to address a fuel security crisis is like putting $1 in the tank when you’re running out of petrol,” Smart Energy Council chief executive John Grimes said.

“After nine years of inaction from the Federal Government, Australia is facing a genuine fuel security crisis. If Australia’s supply routes are blocked, we have at most three weeks of supply before we run out of petrol and diesel.”

“Australia’s fuel security is an absolute disgrace. We desperately need a national fuel security policy and a national energy policy," he said.

“Scott Morrison’s gift to the oil companies and a short term drop in fuel excise is no substitute for a comprehensive plan.

“Australia needs to be investing in electric vehicles and zero emissions transport, renewable energy and renewable hydrogen, creating the jobs and industries of the future.

“We cannot dither any longer. We need national leadership on this critical issue.”

Emergency Fuel Security Summit, Sydney, April 21

The Smart Energy Council will be hosting an emergency Fuel Security Summit at the Hilton Hotel, Sydney, on April 21, to call for a national fuel security strategy. Keynote speakers include:

• Admiral Chris Barrie AC, Chief of Australian Defence Force 1998-2002;
• Professor Ross Garnaut AC, chairman Sunshot Zero Carbon Futures and director ZEN Energy;
• Zali Steggall MP, Member for Warringah;
• Cheryl Durrant, executive member, Australian Security Leader's Climate Group;
• Councillor, the Climate Council;
• Behyad Jafari, CEO Electric Vehicle Council;
• Richie Merzian, director Climate and Energy Program, The Australia Institute; and
• Allegra Spender, Independent candidate for Wentworth.

The Smart Energy Council is an independent peak body for the solar, energy storage and renewable energy industry.

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