St Margaret's News May 2018 | Page 3

Federal Budget 2018 “The funding announced seeks to strengthen Australia’s overall ability to combat modern slavery, including strengthening criminal justice outcomes and enhancing victim support – which are both needed.” “Faith and business leaders have campaigned strongly for a Modern Slavery Act for several years now and we look forward to its imple- mentation. “Getting slavery out of our supply chains and stopping slavery-like conditions in Australia are justice issues that directly impact our Pacific Island Uniting Church members and our regional church partners,” said Mr McMillan. Mr McMillan also welcomed the Government’s $247 million commit- ment to the National Schools Chaplaincy Programme over four years. UnitingCare Australia National Director Claerwen Little welcomed the Government’s commitment to older Australians and their care, particu- larly the extra 14,000 home-care packages. “These go some way to relieving the pain for those 105,000 people still waiting for support,” said Ms Little. “There is still much more to be done for our aging population to ensure a viable, sustainable aged care system for the future.” Ms Little also said she was deeply disturbed to find no increase in the Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance, both of which she said were widely acknowledged to be “grossly inadequate”. Read the full UnitingCare Australia Budget 2018 Media Release. St Margaret’s News 3 May 2018