Affordable Living Alliance

Concern at rising costs and the risk of concession cuts has driven the formation of Affordable Living Alliance, a coalition of community agencies. See a list of members of the Alliance at http://www.vcoss.org.au/what-we-do/energy-water/resourcing.htm#Members. The Affordable Living Alliance aims to ease the hardship of low to middle income households by encouraging Government action to reduce the costs of essential items. The Affordable Living Alliance calls on the Victorian Government to increase concession amounts and uncap currently capped concessions in the 2008-09 budget to ease the hardship faced by Victorian households.  The ASU Committee of Management will be considering joining the Affordable Living Alliance at our next meeting on Tuesday 25^th March.  If you have views about this, please email your representatives Pia Cerveri at pia_cerveri@yahoo.com.au, Pier Moro at pier@hepcvic.org.au or Lisa Darmanin at ldarmanin@asuvic.com

In the last year, the costs of essential items in Victoria have skyrocketed, pushing many low and middle income households into financial stress.

• In June 2008, Victorian water prices will rise from 13 -17%.
• In January 2008, electricity prices increased by between 14 -17%.
• Fresh fruit and vegetables rose 9.3% in the year to December 2007.
• Petrol has increased over 35% in the year to February 2008.
• Victorian rents increased 9.2% in real terms in the 12 months to June 2007
• Melbourne house prices rose 25% in 2007.

Costs of many items are set to keep rising due to inflationary pressures; the need to resource infrastructure decisions, such as desalination; ongoing drought; an imminent carbon emissions trading scheme and increasing demand on world oil supplies add to existing pressure on prices. Through the provision of concessions for energy and water, rates, transport and health costs such as ambulance fees, the Victorian Government plays a critical role in assisting households to afford items that are vital to life.

What you can do

1. Join the Affordable Living Alliance: email rachel.maher@vcoss.org.au
2. Write a letter: Download a copy of the Affordable Living Alliance’s letter to Labor MPs (from www.vcoss.org.au ) and adapt it to convey the particular concerns of your organisation. Send a copy to the Premier, the Treasurer and the Minister(s) responsible for your members and area of the sector, and to other relevant MPs. For information about local members see http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/mps.html
3. Put information about the Affordable Living Alliance on your organisation’s website with a copy of your letter so that your members, constituents and clients can find out more.