The ACT Government agreed to develop a ‘social recovery plan’, proposed by Andrew Braddock MLA, that would consider the most impacted and marginalised groups first, and ensure Canberrans had a genuine say about what they needed to recover from the pandemic.
“The pandemic has made inequality worse,” Mr Braddock said. “The separation between people who have the fundamentals of a decent life, and those who don’t, has never been starker.”
People already experiencing disadvantage would be further disadvantaged through wage scarring, underemployment, unemployment, and reduced economic prospects.
“It’s true that some people will be able to go back to a relatively normal life as soon as restrictions ease, but the recovery will be much slower and harder for many people in our community and we need to prioritise these people in the ACT’s recovery plan,” Mr Braddock said.
The social recovery plan will create a roadmap to rebuild Canberra’s social fabric, through the safe re-introduction of events, recreational and sporting activities, and educational and volunteering opportunities, with a focus on community building and inclusion.
“Canberra has, in my opinion, the most progressive and caring government in Australia. Now we have an obligation to provide strategic advice and tangible support to help our most vulnerable Canberrans recover from the pandemic,” Mr Braddock said.
“It’s essential that the plan is developed together with impacted people and the wider community. This will give assurance to these Canberrans that they are not being left behind.”
The plan also called on the Labor, Greens and Liberals leaders to write to the federal leaders of their parties, calling for an increase to and an indexation of all social security payments so that these are above the Henderson Poverty Line.
“The Federal Government is determined to rip their reduced support away from people as soon as possible, leaving thousands of people in the ACT in significant strife.”
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