Event details
05 November 2020
POVERTY: WHERE TO DRAW THE LINE
PANEL DISCUSSION, FACILITATED BY TORY SHEPHERD
JUST A THOUGHT SERIES
THURSDAY 5 NOVEMBER,
6PM TO 7PM, ACDT
Online Event
Presented by The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre
ACCESS VIDEO HERE
As Australia sinks into a recession, uncertainty is the only certainty. Some people who were living in poverty before COVID-19 struck have had the chance to take a breath as the Federal Government poured stimulus cash into the economy. However, in the absence of further Government action, income support rates will return to their pre-COVID levels - which for JobSeeker, was $40 a day - at the end of December.
What is the poverty line? What does it feel like to live on one side of it, or the other? Has Australia found a new intolerance for letting people fall by the wayside?
This online panel discussion includes insights from Dr Cassandra Goldie, CEO, Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS), and Rita McDonald, who is currently receiving JobSeeker. Rita shares her experience of life on the poverty line, and how the recent increase to JobSeeker has transformed her life.
Please register your interest so that we can keep you up-to-date and to send you a link to view this online broadcast.
DR CASSANDRA GOLDIE
CEO, AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE (ACOSS)
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR, LAW FACULTY, UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES
Dr Cassandra Goldie has been CEO of ACOSS since July 2010. With public policy expertise in economic and social issues, civil society, social justice and human rights, Cassandra has represented the interests of people who are disadvantaged, and civil society generally, in major national and international processes as well as in grassroots communities.
Prior to joining ACOSS, Cassandra held senior roles in both the NFP and public sectors, including with the Australian Human Rights Commission, Darwin Community Legal Service and as Senior Executive with Legal Aid in Western Australia.
Cassandra has a PhD from the University of New South Wales and a Masters of Law from University College London, and is an Adjunct Professor with the Law Faculty at the University of New South Wales. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She serves on the Advisory Committee for the Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law, the UNSW Law Advisory Committee, the Australian Climate Roundtable, the Pinnacle Foundation Board and the Energy Charter Independent Accountability Panel. She is a member of Chief Executive Women.
Glimmer of hope for some, but millions still stranded
ACOSS website
Twitter: @cassandragoldie
RITA MCDONALD
Rita was born in Australia as the child of post-war refugees. She studied languages at university, but left after she was married. She raised two sons as a single mother and worked as a personal carer, cleaner and kitchen hand. She spoke out about neglect and poor quality care in her last workplace which was a residential care home for First Nations survivors of the stolen generation. After giving testimony to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety in 2018, Rita lost her job. She has been struggling to survive on unemployment payments ever since and has become an eloquent advocate for the millions of Australians relying on social security payments.
ABC 7:30 Report: What Does the Budget Mean for People on JobKeeper
FACILITATOR: TORY SHEPHERD
JOURNALIST AND AUTHOR
Tory Shepherd is a columnist at The Advertiser, a freelance writer, and the author of On Freedom.
After finishing Honours in Anthropology and a Masters in Communication, she ended up as a ‘mature-age’ cadet at the paper 15 years ago. She is a Walkley Award judge and a Churchill Fellow.
Twitter: @ToryShepherd
Facebook: Tory Shepherd
JUST A THOUGHT SERIES
This event is presented as part of Just A Thought, an exclusive In-Conversation series presented by The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre with Tory Shepherd. Hear captivating interviews with inspiring contemporary thinkers and change-makers who are shaping Australia’s future. Speakers will share their thoughts on addressing our most pressing issues and discuss how we can have a positive impact on our society.
Other events in this series:
Senator The Hon Penny Wong
Dictators, Despotism and Democracy
How to be Star Citizen in Space
Slaves in the System
Breaking the News
Presented by The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre
Image Credit: Cassandra Goldie, Photographer: Gavin Jowitt
While the views presented by speakers within The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre public program are their own and are not necessarily those of either the University of South Australia, or The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, they are presented in the interest of open debate and discussion in the community and reflect our themes of: Strengthening our Democracy - Valuing our Diversity - Building our Future.
The copying and reproduction of any transcripts within The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre public program is strictly forbidden without prior arrangements.
While the views presented by speakers within The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre public program are their own and are not necessarily those of either the University of South Australia, or The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, they are presented in the interest of open debate and discussion in the community and reflect our themes of: Strengthening our Democracy - Valuing our Diversity - Building our Future. The Hawke Centre reserves the right to change their program at any time without notice.
