Simple and affordable changes to our tax and welfare system, could help lift a million people out of poverty according to modelling released by the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVDP).

These strategies, analysed in a new report A Fairer Tax and Welfare System, by the Australian National University (ANU) Centre for Social Research and Methods, would only marginally affect the most well off and have no net impact on the nation’s Budgetary position.

The report examines three options for helping families and individuals at risk of deep poverty and financial stress. Every day the Society’s members hear stories about housing and homelessness concerns, low incomes and job insecurity, and challenges faced by refugees and First Nations people. These issues are covered in the Society’s newly released election statement, A Fairer Australia.

According to the report’s key author, Associate Professor Ben Phillips, the ANU modelling highlights strategies to reduce poverty without running up national debt or requiring anyone to make significant sacrifices.

Image: Image: Shutterstock

Produced By: Roderick Chambers

Featured In Story: Claire Victory, CEO St Vincent de Paul Society of Australia

First aired on The Wire, Tuesday 5 April 2022