Plans to place the burden of budget repair on those who can least afford it were wrong morally and economically.

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has welcomed the Federal Parliament’s decision to change their plans to cut the energy supplement to welfare recipients.

President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Archbishop Denis Hart said the Catholic Bishops are concerned about growing income inequality in Australia and its impacts on poor and disadvantaged communities.

“Cutting payments to the most vulnerable families and individuals in our community when their payments are already inadequate to meet their living costs, was a very concerning initiative,” Archbishop Hart said.

“Budget repair should be achieved without unfairly placing the burden on the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in our society.

“Putting further financial strain on people already suffering from income stress will only cause harm to them, their children and the communities they are in. Continue reading →