Queensland Election Vital for NFPs
8 January 2015 at 8:58 am
All candidates standing in the surprise Queensland State Election have been urged by a peak welfare Not for Profit to commit to creating a healthier social economy.
Queensland Premier Campbell Newman surprised many, including his political opponents, when he announced this week that he had called a snap election for January 31.
Political analysts say the election could go either way, with Newman likely to struggle to hold on to his own seat of Ashgrove, which he currently holds by a 5.7 per cent margin.
Recent polls showed that the Premier was likely to face a 10 per cent swing against him in Ashgrove.
Newman said he called the surprise election because there was “no time to waste securing (Queensland’s) future with our strong plan for jobs”.
The Queensland Council of Social Services (QCOSS) outlined its pre-election wishlist, saying the election presented new opportunities.
“Based on our conversations with our members and the ongoing work we do in policy development, QCOSS puts forward six key actions an elected government will need to take now to achieve long-term wellbeing for all Queenslanders,” QCOSS CEO Mark Henley said.
“The first action is a commitment for Government, the community service sector, business and the community to work together to codesign the best possible ways to address poverty and disadvantage in Queensland.
“Action is also needed to address cost of living issues, invest in a centre of excellence to support communities with evidence based best practice in family support, establish long-term agreements with the Australian Government in the areas of housing and homelessness, health and education, and provide programs to support vulnerable Queenslanders transition to sustainable employment.”
Meanwhile aged care Not for Profit, the Council on the Ageing (COTA) Queensland, said the election needed to tackle issues affecting senior citizens who are at “breaking point”.
“Seniors have told us they have reached breaking point regarding the cost of living,” COTA Queensland CEO Mark Tucker-Evans said.
“Older people are consistently finding it difficult to make ends meet against high energy, water, and transport costs. All political candidates need to take the pledge to work for an age-friendly Queensland.”
Tucker-Evans said a pre-election COTA Queensland survey of 128 older residents conducted in November and December 2014 identified three recurring concerns – health, cost of living, and transport.
“The survey confirms previous research into seniors and social isolation. Older people are concerned about how they will afford and access health and home care, as well as the pressures they feel as carers, grandparents, and members of the community,” he said.
