Fuel costs have surged to record levels, in another blow to single mothers already struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
Advocacy groups, including CSMC, are reporting the devastating impact of the fuel crisis on vulnerable families. Some mothers, especially those in regional Victoria and areas under-serviced by public transport, are going hungry or falling behind in rent and paying bills just to get to work or study. Kids are missing out on school or social meetups with no way to get to their destinations.
Contract workers, such as nurses, tutors, cleaners, and ride-share workers, are turning down shifts because the cost of working is higher than what they would earn. This is particularly relevant, as contract work is popular with single mothers because of the flexibility it provides.
We don’t know when the conflict in the Middle East will end, but we do know that the longer it continues, the harder it will be for single mother families to recover. For some, the fuel crisis is entrenching poverty, with children facing lifetimes of disadvantage that comes with it.
CSMC is advocating for single mothers during this crisis – and your involvement will strengthen its impact.
What’s being done
Community services advocating on social security issues have been quick to call for a temporary pause in mutual obligations, as a solution to people having to drive to attend mandatory mutual‑obligation appointments linked to receipt of welfare payments.
The Federal Government has also implemented changes they say will somewhat lessen the cost of petrol. These include a 50 per cent cut to the fuel excise, reducing the cost of petrol and diesel by 26.3 cents per litre for three months, effective from April 1 to June 30.
In Victoria, the State Government has announced free public transport on all metropolitan Melbourne train, trams, and buses, as well as regional V/Line trains for the month of April although this may not be an easy fix. Train travellers are already talking about heavily congested stations and carriages, with some reporting being left on the station because the train is literally too full to take any more passengers.
What needs to happen
During COVID, federal and state governments undertook measures to support Australians through the pandemic. From the beginning, they did not appreciate the particular circumstances in single mother families until finally, the then Premier of Victoria apologised to single mothers for the gaps. Now both levels of government are introducing measures to address the changing and emerging needs of particular groups.
That’s where you come in.
CSMC will advocate to governments and through large community collectives on behalf of single mothers. The more we know about how the fuel crisis is impacting you and what you need, the better our advocacy.
We are currently putting together a survey so you can tell us how the fuel crisis is impacting you and what would help ease the pressure. We will send out an email with the details next week. Feel free to start thinking about the many ways the fuel crisis is impacting you, and what you would say to a politician.
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