Sector welcomes Labor win but flags more work ahead

However, organisations as diverse as the Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS), Amnesty International and Catholic Social Services Australia said there was no time for the government to rest on its laurels and urged Canberra to get on with the job of implementing much needed reforms.

ACOSS CEO Cassandra Goldie said the government must now seize this opportunity to be bolder in delivering real reform to fulfill its promise of leaving no-one behind.

“We welcome the Prime Minister’s recognition that there is still much more to do to help people under pressure. He is absolutely right,” she said.

“Millions across the country cannot afford the basics of life, including food, rent, medicine and power bills and we are facing a worsening climate crisis.”

Goldie said Australians waking up the day after the election faced the same long-term challenges as they did before the poll.

She said Jobseeker, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment and related payments were so low they trap people in poverty.

“To deliver on its promise of leaving no-one behind, Labor must raise the rate of income support to an adequate level,” she said.

“Raising the Rate of these payments must be the first order of business. How much longer must people wait for the help they desperately need?”

Goldie said the Coalition’s negative campaigning has been comprehensively rejected by voters.

“The Coalition offered no long-term solutions to the cost-of-living, housing, and climate crises.

“They scapegoated migrants for the housing crisis, proposed policies that would worsen housing affordability, attacked Welcome to Country ceremonies, planned to slash public sector jobs and proposed more polluting gas and nuclear plants that will take years to build,” said Goldie.

She instead welcomed the Prime Minister Albanese’s focus on fairness, equality and respect.

“We call on all political parties to denounce divisive policies and rhetoric,” said Goldie.

“Election campaigns are challenging and traumatising for communities who find themselves so often targeted.”

Amnesty International Australia

Amnesty International Australia welcomed the Albanese government’s re-election and commitment to progress and justice but said there was still a long way to go.

In a post-election statement, Amnesty International Australia called for:

Introduction of legislation for a National Human Rights Act

An end to the over-imprisonment of young First Nations Australians, who are 29 times more likely to end up behind bars than non-Indigenous youth

More fair and human refugee policies, which should include an end to indefinite detention

Amnesty International Australia also called on the incoming government to make human rights a top priority from day one.

“The human rights landscape is in crisis. Australia must be a global voice for justice and take meaningful action in response to the genocide in Gaza as well as the repression in Myanmar, China, Afghanistan and more,” the organisation said.

Amnesty International Australia said its supporters sent a clear message in favour of a fairer, kinder and more inclusive Australia.

“We’re watching, we’re ready for change, and we’re ready to hold the government to account. It’s time for Australia to lead with courage, compassion and justice.”

Catholic Social Services Australia (CSSA)

CSSA executive director Dr Jerry Nockles said the unprecedented scale of the swing to Labor marked a significant moment in Australia’s democratic journey.

“This historic victory provides an incredible opportunity to promote a more just, compassionate and inclusive Australia in service of the common good.

“We look forward to working constructively with the government to advance policies that uplift the most vulnerable in our society.”

Nockles said the measure of good governance is how it serves those most in need, with Australia facing complex social challenges including housing affordability, aged care reform and alleviating poverty and disadvantage.

“We are encouraged by the government's commitment to addressing inequality and building social cohesion, and we stand ready to contribute our expertise and experience to these vital national conversations.”

The Settlement Council of Australia (SCOA)

The national peak body congratulated the Labor Party on what they described as a “hard-won election victory.”

SCOA said settlement remained a national priority, with more than 200,000 permanent migrants, refugees, and humanitarian entrants embarking on the settlement journey to Australia every year.

“Looking ahead, migrants are projected to contribute around $2 trillion to Australia’s GDP by 2050,” SCOA said in a statement.

The peak body said effective settlement services are key to ensuring new arrivals achieve financial independence and contribute positively to Australian society.

“We look forward to working with the re-elected Albanese Government to build a fast, efficient, and fair system that fosters a strong, inclusive community, ensuring that all people of migrant and refugee backgrounds can belong, thrive, and lead fulfilling lives in Australia.”

Anglicare Australia

Anglicare Australia executive director Kasy Chambers congratulated prime minister Anthony Albanese and the ALP on its election victory but said it will have its work cut out facing the dire challenges ahead.

“Hundreds of thousands of Australians are struggling to find an affordable home. People on the lowest incomes are struggling to make ends meet and the aged care sector is in the midst of historic reforms," she said.

“That’s why poll after poll shows that Australians want action on wages, welfare, housing and climate change over band-aid solutions. We owe it to them to take action."

Chambers said she supported the government’s continued focus on incomes and living costs, which are seeing record numbers of Australians do it tough but called for action to address the huge shortfall in social and affordable housing.

"Our Rental Affordability Snapshot, released just days before election day, has shown the depth of this crisis," said Chambers.

"We must stop Australia from becoming a country where only the very wealthy can avoid housing stress – and wind down band-aid solutions that make the problem worse."

Chambers also acknowledged that the government has kicked off historic aged care reforms but called for Canberra to commit to see the reforms through.

“We know what we need to do to make Australia fairer – invest in affordable housing, raise the rate of incomes, and ensure a dignified life for older people.

“We look forward to working with the returned Government, and the crossbench, on each of these fronts.”

St Vincent de Paul

St Vincent de Paul congratulated Labor on winning the federal election, which they said came off the back of the past three years of introducing significant reforms aimed at improving the lives of Australians doing it tough.

The Society's National President Mark Gaetani said these included:

• a commitment to build more social and affordable housing

• increasing the JobSeeker payment by $40 per fortnight

• boosting Commonwealth Rent Assistance

• expanding eligibility for the Parenting Payment Single from when a youngest child turns eight to 14

• major boosts to the Urgent Care Clinics program and a proposed cap on the cost of PBS medicines.

‘We welcome such measures and so, it seems, does the bulk of Australians who have chosen to re-elect the government," said Gaetani.

"However, a range of other important reforms needs to be enacted, and the government now has the opportunity to do this work."

Gaetani said the Society was particularly concerned about the inadequacy of income support payments, notably JobSeeker, which he said was well below the pension rate.

A recent Foodbank Australia study shows that 3.4 million households ran out of food in the past year. One-in-six children is deemed to be living in poverty and relying on inadequate social security for income.

‘The cost-of-living crisis impacts disproportionately on people with low incomes, whether they are relying on welfare payments or working for minimal wages," said Gaetani.

"The independent Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee, which reports to Parliament, has called these support payments “seriously inadequate”.

‘In three successive yearly reports it has asked for increases, and the Society agrees this should be a priority.’

Gaetani also called for urgent action on rental affordability, improving the lives of Indigenous Australians, and better treatment of asylum seekers and refugees.

"The Society welcomes the ALP’s response to our Justice & Compassion policies, saying it is “committed to a strong and sustainable safety net that provides support to those most in need.

"We hope this commitment will be front and centre in the Government’s domestic decision making in its coming time in office."