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Sky News AU
a day ago
- Health
- Sky News AU
'Considered eating dog or cat food': Staggering number of Aussies forced to look in bins for food, skips meals entirely as cost of living bites under Albanese govt
A growing number of Australians are being forced to choose between food or medication as the nation's most vulnerable people continue to get crushed under the government's worsening cost of living crisis. A new survey by The Salvation Army Australia found about 55 per cent of Aussies, who reached out to the charity, were skipping meals because of financial hardship, 57 per cent could not afford prescription medication, while almost a quarter were forced to eat expired or spoiled food, and one in 20 are dumpster diving for food. Amongst the figures are survivors of domestic violence as well elderly residents who have considered desperate measures such as eating pet food. "I've cut down on my medication, only taking half of my meds. I have considered eating dog or cat food," an elderly woman told The Salvation Army. A single mother from Queensland, who fled domestic violence, said it is a mental, financial and emotional struggle, as she has to go most days without food to provide for her children. "I've had to restart over again, which put me in financial hardship, I'm in more debt now than ever," she said. "Bills are paid first, then kids' food, but the increase in everyday living means my kids are going to have less food.' Parents are finding it particularly difficult to feed themselves as well as their children, which has forced 62 per cent of parents to completely skip on meals so their kids could eat. The survey also found 43 per cent of families could not afford essentials like baby formula and nappies, while over a third (36 per cent) struggled to cover the costs of basic non-prescription medications like paracetamol or ibuprofen. A 30-year-old mum, who works in the public sector, told the charity she could not provide for her family despite being employed and has considered quitting her job to save on the cost of petrol, parking and childcare. "I feel like I am failing as a mother," she said. A second community member said: 'I just drink water to fill up my tummy. And the milk for the baby, for example, one bottle is for four scoops of milk, I always put two scoops in every bottle. I don't use nappies for the baby because I can't afford to buy nappies for her. And also, when we wash our clothes, we are not using soap. I can't afford that.' Several Aussies have reported a decline in mental health from completely isolating themselves as a way to avoid non-essential spending. 'To manage financially I isolate myself completely, stop eating basically, and feel desperate most of the time, thinking about how I can get through till the next payday, what else I can cancel or stop doing," a New South Wales mum said. Major Bruce Harmer from The Salvation Army said it is "truly shocking" to see the staggering number of people doing it tough in a "country like Australia". "No one should be forced to eat expired food or to eat out of rubbish bins," he said. "The fact that over one in twenty (6 per cent) of those we surveyed said they were eating from dumpsters breaks our heart. "Those presenting to us are some of the most marginalised and disadvantaged in our community." With Australia choosing to back the Labor government for a second term after a historic election win, struggling households are hoping Prime Minister Anthony Albanese can offer more assistance or to find a way to resolve the cost of living crisis. As part of his election promises, the PM vowed to deliver more relief including cheaper medicine and childcare, boosts to Centrelink payments and wages for low-paid workers. Mr Albanese has also promised an $8.5billion investment to Medicare to expand the bulk billing incentive to all Australians as well as incentivise payments for clinics to bulk bill. The Labor government's big-ticket relief items have been criticised for not doing enough to match the nation's ongoing cost of living crisis. However despite the criticism, the Albanese government has claimed it has kept inflation down, incomes are growing and unemployment is low under its leadership.
Perth Now
20-05-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
Surging number of Aussies stuck in 'prison of poverty'
An increasing number of Australians feel forced to skip meals, eat from rubbish bins and forgo prescription medications, as growing financial hardship traps many in a "prison of poverty". Research from the Salvation Army found desperation is rising, and demand for support services has surged as more individuals and families struggle to make ends meet. Head of external communications Bruce Harmer said the data was concerning, saying a large cohort within the community simply could not afford daily basic needs. "We've been amazed at how much need is in the community and how raw and tactile it is," he told AAP. "It is truly shocking in a country like Australia that we are seeing these devastating numbers. No one should be forced to eat expired food or to eat out of rubbish bins." The survey released on Wednesday found 57 per cent of people could not afford prescription medication and one in 20 people reported eating from rubbish bins. It found 62 per cent of parents reported going without food so their children could eat, while 43 per cent could not afford essentials such as baby formula and nappies. "I just drink water to fill up my tummy. And the milk for the baby, for example, one bottle is for four scoops of milk, I always put two scoops in every bottle," a community member, who had received support from the Salvos said. "I don't use nappies for the baby because I can't afford to buy nappies for her. And also, when we wash our clothes, we are not using soap. I can't afford that." More than 3.3 million people live below the poverty line, according to the 2022 Poverty in Australia Snapshot by the Australia Council of Social Service. "Living in poverty and struggling to make ends meet has a huge impact on a person's mental health," Mr Harmer said. "We should be aware of that for people they're in a prison of poverty, there's no way out." The Salvation Army data surveyed 3586 community members who had received food, financial assistance or material aid from the service. About 90 per cent of respondents said they would not have managed without the support of the organisation, which is a positive statistic according to Mr Harmer. "That's a good news. Even though it indicates that 90 per cent of people were really struggling, they were able to make ends meet because of the Salvation Army," he said. "It's more important than ever, that the community gets behind the Red Shield Appeal and help us raise the $38 million we require to meet this need."
