Central Coast Greens

13/06/2026

13/06/2026

Herbert's View: The varied uses for a bomb.
Illustrator: Megan Herbert.
Read the letter to the editor here: https://tinyurl.com/2nvypcr8

13/06/2026

“The changes show that governments have always had the ability to fix housing affordability; they have merely chosen to favour investors and the wealthy instead” writes Greg Jericho, Chief Economist at the Australia Institute.

“But governments can change the country for the better or worse. Failure to act for 26 years on housing affordability has left many Australians renting for most of their adult lives and led to for the first time since WWII, most Australians in their early 30s not owning their own home.”

“The path to undoing the damage will be long, but finally there is hope that no longer will the housing market be treated as a place to increase wealth rather than a place to find a home to live in and grow a family.”

Read the full piece on The Point: https://thepoint.com.au/news/260612-the-housing-affordability-crisis-was-a-policy-choice-the-government-is-finally-changing-course

13/06/2026

13/06/2026

This weekend saw the world's first trillionaire. Time to push back against the increasing financial power and political influence of the few. Join the Greens.

11/06/2026

Allowing people to live in poverty in a political choice. It is a very short sighted political choice. It is one of the primary factors in the undermining of "social cohesion", and has lasting detrimental education and health impacts for those caught in the systems that maintain poverty.

The 2026 Cost of Living Index found that after paying for just rent, food and transport:

-A single person on JobSeeker falls $251 behind every week.
-A single parent on Parenting Payment falls $174 behind every week.
-A couple with two children on JobSeeker falls $428 behind every week.

And that's before paying for electricity, internet, insurance, medications, school costs or any unexpected expenses.

For years, politicians and commentators have told people on social security to "budget better". This report confirms what people experiencing poverty have been saying all along: you cannot budget your way out of an income that is simply too low to cover the basics.

People survive by skipping meals, delaying medical care, going without heating and cooling, living in overcrowded housing, falling into debt, and relying on emergency relief. That isn't a personal failure. It's a policy failure.

The report also highlights a truth that is rarely discussed: not everyone receiving JobSeeker is unemployed. Many recipients are people with disabilities, chronic illness, caring responsibilities, older workers facing discrimination, or people piecing together insecure and part-time work.

Australia is one of the wealthiest countries in the world. Nobody should be forced to live in poverty because they lost a job, got sick, became disabled, left a violent relationship, or are raising children alone.

It's time to raise income support payments to a liveable level and ensure everyone can afford the essentials of life: a safe home, healthy food, transport and dignity.

Poverty is a political choice. It doesn't have to be this way.

11/06/2026

Today we are launching our Raise the Rate Survey 2026. Living in one of the wealthiest countries in the world should mean you’re doing more than just surviving. But too many people receiving income support, are forced to go without basic goods and services because their budgets simply cannot stretch to meet the minimum costs of everyday life.

People on payments like JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment, Austudy, Abstudy and similar, are being left behind on the lowest incomes in the country. With unemployment rising across Australia - this issue is starting to hit home for more and more people.

Last time we ran this survey, our community told us about the constant stress and fear of trying to make ends meet. Anecdotally, we are hearing even more concerning stories as costs continue to increase. We need to paint a full picture of what it is really like trying to survive on these payments in 2026.

The evidence is clear, but together we need to push the government to act. If you receive any of these working-age payments, we want to hear from you, no matter where you live in Australia.

We are asking you for two things:

1️⃣ Take the survey to share your real-life experience.

2️⃣ Spread the word by sharing this post with friends, family, and your community.

Every single voice makes our case stronger. Head to the link to get started.

Take the Survey HERE: https://efcee0ql45h.typeform.com/to/BCIQIUZh

11/06/2026

10/06/2026

Tell them what you think of the plans.

10/06/2026