Thread by @antipovertycent

Now up we have @antipovertyqld, @yfslogan and @ma_queensland

Opening with a statement from Anti-Poverty Network.

They are making the point about the deaths caused by state violence through the welfare system. Good to hear someone name the reality ✊

#PovertyInquiry #BTPM

https://twitter.com/antipovertycent/status/1599887947624763393

@antipovertyqld @YFSlogan @ma_queensland "Continuing with the status quo is unacceptable." – @antipovertyqld

#PovertyInquiry #BTPM

@antipovertyqld @YFSlogan @ma_queensland "People from CALD backgrounds are disproportionately represented among people in poverty." – @ma_queensland

They're describing particular barriers to access support and employment due to visa categories and other issues specifically affecting migrants.

#PovertyInquiry #BTPM

@antipovertyqld @YFSlogan @ma_queensland "COVID ... showed the relevance and potential of income support to alleviate poverty." – @ma_queensland

#PovertyInquiry #BTPM

@antipovertyqld @YFSlogan @ma_queensland Now @YFSlogan is up.

"We are seeing 100 families a week who are homeless. 2 years ago we were able to house a family through our connections with real estate within a few hours. It's impossible to rent a home that's affordable at the moment."

#PovertyInquiry #BTPM

@antipovertyqld @YFSlogan @ma_queensland The number of people facing financial difficulty who are seeking help from @YFSlogan has increased from 50% to 70%.

Emergency relief demand for YFS services FELL by 62% while COVID supplement was in place, when payments were at the Henderson Poverty Line.

#PovertyInquiry #BTPM

@antipovertyqld @YFSlogan @ma_queensland "Many of our clients arrive in Australia from a background of poverty, and their experiences of poverty on Centrelink in Australia can exacerbate that." – @ma_queensland

#PovertyInquiry #BTPM

Also, if you missed the first morning session, you can catch up on our coverage here:

https://twitter.com/antipovertycent/status/1599887947624763393?s=20&t=5qWH2Wu3EeryZ-EIKFqGwA

We're hearing from @ma_queensland that despite systemic barriers faced (eg racism) for CALD folks, poverty is ultimately no different to anyone else.

We agree – there are many universal solutions needed. It's then easier to deal with specific barriers.

#PovertyInquiry #BTPM

@ma_queensland nb: We are using the term "CALD" only when sharing comments made by Multicultural Australia

@ma_queensland What difference did it make when JobSeeker doubled? @janet_rice

"All of a sudden people didn't have to choose between rent & medicine. Having that stripped away showed how unnecessary the situation was. And how cruel the system can be." – @antipovertyqld

#PovertyInquiry #BTPM

@ma_queensland @janet_rice @antipovertyqld More great (and unsurprising) news about landlords: Of course they are discriminating against migrants in the rental market – and yep, it's worse if you're a migrant AND poor 🥰

#PovertyInquiry #BTPM

@ma_queensland @janet_rice @antipovertyqld Often funding contracts restrict @YFSlogan from working with and supporting people for more than 3 months, 6 months etc.

#PovertyInquiry #BTPM

@ma_queensland @janet_rice @antipovertyqld @YFSlogan "Often the people we most need to reach don't want to connect with services." – @YFSlogan

Yes, because many of us have been traumatised and trained to expect that services will fail us.

#PovertyInquiry #BTPM

@ma_queensland @janet_rice @antipovertyqld @YFSlogan Disturbing to hear @YFSlogan is a #ParentsNEXT provider.

They describe it as "controversial".

No, if you are ever in a situation where you have a contractual obligations to cut someone's Centrelink payment it's not controversial – it's indefensible.

#PovertyInquiry #BTPM

@ma_queensland @janet_rice @antipovertyqld @YFSlogan "What's the technology that helps people get into work?" –@MsMarielleSmith

This question is misguided. The problem with the digital divide isn't that is locks people out of *work*. It's that it locks you out of EVERYTHING including access to income support. #PovertyInquiry #BTPM

@ma_queensland @janet_rice @antipovertyqld @YFSlogan @MsMarielleSmith omfg we are now hearing that @YFSlogan is involved with Work for the Dole!!!

She is saying they need it because they need to learn that you can't "smell" when you go to work.

These people should not be seen as "experts".

Fucking sickening. Fuck. #PovertyInquiry #BTPM

@ma_queensland @janet_rice @antipovertyqld @YFSlogan @MsMarielleSmith Have these people considered the effects of poverty, disability and mental ill health on our capacity to function AT ALL??????

#PovertyInquiry #BPTM

@ma_queensland @janet_rice @antipovertyqld @YFSlogan @MsMarielleSmith They currently have 26 government contracts.

Absolutely massive cog in that poverty machine.

#PovertyInquiry #BTPM

@ma_queensland @janet_rice @antipovertyqld @YFSlogan @MsMarielleSmith Earlier @YFSlogan said people who need help often don't want to access services.

Then they told us they're involved with #ParentsNEXT & Work for the Dole. They said poor people smell.

Gee, wonder why no one wants your services?!

#PovertyInquiry #BTPM

https://twitter.com/antipovertycent/status/1599932688554917888?s=20&t=NCGIyzd6n-8AKu56n-QkWA

@ma_queensland @janet_rice @antipovertyqld @YFSlogan @MsMarielleSmith There's now a 10 minute break.

We'll start a new thread for the next session, which will only be people who are actual experts – poor people.

Absolutely shocking and repulsive tropes we've heard from witnesses in the past hour. Take time to recover.

#PovertyInquiry #BTPM

@ma_queensland @janet_rice @antipovertyqld @YFSlogan @MsMarielleSmith Here's thread #3:

https://twitter.com/antipovertycent/status/1599938470285553664?s=20&t=oWBHOuI1tfZH6vgfuwvG2A