By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
WHEN the income doesn’t match the expenditure even the most finance savvy can’t fix the problem- and it’s one that’s stretching across the region.
“Many times we’ll go to fill out a budget and the rent is almost as much as the income,” executive officer at Cranbourne Information and Support Service (CISS) Leanne Petrides said.
“What do you do? You can’t even help, there’s no magic wand to help them save money because it’s not there.”
Ms Petrides calls it the worst part of her job.
But in a bid to help more struggling families, CISS has extended their services to the growing south-east suburb of Lynbrook.
“We are trialling it until the end of this year,” Ms Petrides said.
The trial will mean clients from Hampton Park, Lynbrook, Lyndhurst and surrounds can access crisis support intervention from the Lynbrook Community Centre.
“Some of our services are delivered by appointment only on Mondays and Fridays,” Ms Petrides said.
“We’ve been looking to make it easier for people to access our services and Hampton Park would be the second largest group of people we service after Cranbourne locals- so it is an ideal location.”
With a lack of affordable housing a common thread for CISS support workers, Ms Petrides said the Government-funded ‘Newstart Allowance’ for people seeking employment is “unliveable”.
“Newstart is an unliveable income and the Government’s reason for why is because it is an incentive for people to go get a job and earn a better income.
“But the Business Council of Australia said that they supported a rise in the Newstart allowance because people can’t afford to look for a job on such little money,” she said.
Ms Petrides listed: transport, access to a computer and competition as brick walls Newstart job seekers face.
“The business sector is one area you wouldn’t expect to support a rise in welfare but they can see the economic benefits playing out if people had a little more money to live on,” Ms Petrides said.
“Living on welfare is not a holiday, people say these dole bludgers are sitting around on the dole- trust me it’s not fun, it’s hard work, unless you are living in your parents’ home.
“They have to attend working for the dole programs and apply for a certain number of jobs each week.”
Ms Petrides said one client at her Cranbourne centre was desperate to find a job and at one stage applied for 29 jobs in three weeks.
“It’s a constant battle of survival for these people- it’s one thing going to a bulk billing doctor but they walk out with scripts thinking what can they sacrifice to afford the medication,” she said.
Anyone in need of financial assistance or counselling can contact CISS in Cranbourne on: 5996 3333.
