Canberra faces a crisis in housing affordability, with many women struggling to make ends meet.
Our 2023 survey, “Our Lives: Women in the ACT,” revealed the alarming choices and stress facing many women in Canberra.
32% of respondents lack sufficient savings to cover one housing payment if they lose their income, 30% said they were in a state of financial stress or crisis, and 35% believe they will struggle in their retirement.
All these figures are a deterioration of the findings recorded in the 2021 version of our survey.
Domestic and family violence remains a pervasive issue. The first four months of 2024 saw police respond to on average around 11 family or domestic violence-related incidents per day, an increase on the daily average recorded in previous years.
As an early education provider, we are aware of the strong link between early education and positive childhood development, particularly for vulnerable children. Support for the emergency placement program for children aged 0-5 is a core demand.
We use this Election Platform to call for action on the following priorities:
- Safe, secure and affordable housing
- Cost-of-living relief
- A life free from violence
- Access to early childhood education and care
- Children, youth and families