Pensioners have described the federal budget as a “declaration of war” on low income groups. Around 300 gathered at a protest organised by Victorian based Fair Go for Pensioners (FGFP) on 21 May to demand justice for the poor.
Addressing the crowd, FGFP Steering Committee member Lew Wheeler said that “unrelenting poverty” will be the “grim future” facing pensioners, the unemployed, single parents and students on welfare.
“This is about reshaping Australia as an uncaring, unjust and unfair society”, Wheeler yelled to cries of “Shame!” from the gathered crowd.
“We are told that we are smoking and drinking our way through our welfare money – this is code for the ‘undeserving poor’”, she said. “Stop blaming people for their own poverty!”
“Poverty is not about individual behaviour but social inequality. Prime Minister Abbott and Premier Napthine hang your heads in shame.”
