The QCOSS Annual Poverty Statement reveals low income households are experiencing high financial stress as they cope with the escalating costs of essential items. The statement is released today as part of Anti-Poverty Week.

“We keep hearing that there isn’t a cost of living crisis because average wage growth is outpacing increases in the Consumer Price Index,” says QCOSS Director Mark Henley. “However, the cost of essential items and basic needs are rising much faster than CPI.

The QCOSS Annual Poverty Statement released today as part of Anti-Poverty Week reveals that large sections of the Queensland population are experiencing poverty.

“Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people in Queensland had an unemployment rate three times that of the general population,” says QCOSS President Mark Henley “The unemployment rate for young people across Australia is more than double that of the general population. And despite the economic boom from mining unemployment in Queensland is rising.

Dear Colleagues

Please find attached important communication from Senator Christopher Evans, Minister for Tertiary Education, Jobs, Skills and Workplace Relations in relation to the Queensland Pay Equity Regulation.

MEDIA RELEASE

More and more Queenslanders are turning to community and social service organisations for help. However, an increasing number are turned away by a sector struggling with demand. The annual Australian Community Sector Survey released by the Australian Council of Social Service today shows Queensland organisations provided services on 1,682,781 occasions during 2009/10. This is an increase of 7 per cent. On 44,292 occasions clients were turned away. This is up 6 per cent.