Since the beginning of the lockdown in Sydney, community service organisations have reported a huge surge in demand from people experiencing financial distress. While the Federal Government has extended support to some through the Covid Disaster Payment, most people struggling to get by on the lowest incomes have been excluded. People receiving income support cannot get disaster payments if they didn’t lose paid work because of the lockdown. At the same time, they cannot get paid work because of the lockdown. People are trapped in poverty as a result. 

Community organisations are doing all they can to help. But we urgently need to lift income support payments so people on the lowest incomes are not trapped in poverty. That’s why the Australian Council of Social Service, the NSW Council of Social Service and the City of Sydney are hosting an online forum about the impact of lockdowns on people on the lowest incomes. 

The speakers will include:

• Uncle Allan Murray, Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council – Welcome to Country
• Ms Katherine McKernan, CEO, Homelessness NSW
• Ms Ashlee Donohue, Mudgin-Gal Aboriginal Women’s Centre
• Ms Frances Rush OAM, CEO, Asylum Seekers’ Centre
• Michael Shreenan, Executive Officer, Counterpoint Community Services

Personal experiences from community members will also be shared.

Register now to Join us for this important discussion. 

Date: Wednesday 1 September 2021 

Time: 12:30pm to 2:30pm

See more information and RSVP on EventBrite

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