Catholic Social Services Australia and the St Vincent de Paul Society have congratulated Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Labor on their comprehensive victory in Saturday’s federal election.
Labor secured a significantly improved majority, with Mr Albanese becoming the first prime minister to win a second term since John Howard in 2004, The Guardian reports.
“Today, the Australian people have voted for Australian values, for fairness, aspiration and opportunity for all,” Mr Albanese told a raucous crowd of Labor supporters at Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL Club in Sydney’s inner-west on Saturday night.
“Australians have chosen to face global challenges the Australian way, looking after each other while building for the future.”
The comprehensive victory, which defied predictions of a hung parliament, hands Mr Albanese a clear mandate to deliver a second-term agenda that includes slashing student debt, more free GP visits and building homes for first home buyers.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton was the biggest casualty of the election, losing his marginal Brisbane seat of Dickson to Labor’s Ali France. The defeat ends Mr Dutton’s 24-year career in Parliament.
CSSA executive director Jerry Nockles congratulated Labor and expressed enthusiasm for continued collaboration.
“This historic victory provides an incredible opportunity to promote a more just, compassionate and inclusive Australia in service of the common good,” Dr Nockles said.
“We look forward to working constructively with the Government to advance policies that uplift the most vulnerable in our society.”
Dr Nockles said the “measure of good governance is how it serves those most in need”.
“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.”
St Vincent de Paul Society’s national president Mark Gaetani said the charity looked forward to working with the new Government “in providing greater support for the many struggling Australians, particularly those 1.3 million people living under the poverty line”.
“We acknowledge that over the past three years the Albanese Labor Government has implemented significant reforms aimed at improving people’s lives, especially those doing it tough, but more needs to be done,” Mr Mark Gaetani.
Mr Gaetani said the society was particularly concerned about the inadequacy of income support payments, notably JobSeeker, which is well below the pension rate.
Mr Gaetani said other issues that deserve urgent attention include the housing rental market, the wellbeing of First Nations Australians, and the treatment of asylum seekers and refugees.
FULL STORY
Anthony Albanese secures ‘win for the ages’ for Labor at 2025 federal election (By Dan Jervis-Bardy, The Guardian)
CSSA congratulates Albanese Government on historic win (CSSA)
Election win paves the way for a fairer society (St Vincent de Paul Society)
