In this year's Social Justice Statement to be released today Australia's Catholic Bishops slam consumerism and the emergence of a severely disadvantaged underclass.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports this year's statement, A Rich Young Nation: The challenge of affluence and poverty in Australia, also questions the selfish attitudes of wealthy taxpayers who resist tax rises and which could allow governments to provide services to meet the needs of the nation's poor and vulnerable.
Australia's care for the less fortunate had not kept pace with the economic growth of the past 15 years so that now even households which could be defined as wealthy felt they were deprived and struggling, the bishops say.
The drive for increased wealth was trapping workers in a cycle of over work, overconsumption and debt to achieve material success, the bishops argue.
This aspirational rat race was fuelled by consumerism and aggressive marketing that placed "self interest and competition for material things above the idea of a society where we are all in service to one another."
The bishops also renewed their call of 25 years ago when, at the end of world recession, they called for the common wealth of Australia to be dedicated to the common good.
They quoted the findings of international research showing that 11 percent of the population were living below the poverty line, including 412,000 children.
The bishops also warn of the emergence of a severely disadvantaged underclass unless those better off spread their wealth.
Bishop Christopher Saunders, who chairs the Australian Catholic Social Justice Commission, said Australia's poverty had worsened in the good times.
"Following years of prosperity, Australia has the means to act for the common good and with a special concern for the poor," Bishop Saunders said.
"What values characterise our daily lives? Have we become obsessed with economic success and material acquisition?
"Do we recognise those in need and our obligation to do something about it?"
Indigenous communities, single parent families, low paid workers and the homeless were some of Australia's financially destitute, Bishop Saunders said.
This year's statement reviews the dangers of an expanding underclass and includes practical ideas for people to address and prevent poverty in their communities.
Professor Julian Disney, national chair of Anti-Poverty Week, is due to launch the statement this morning at Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney.
SOURCE
Bishops question selfish wealthy taxpayers (Sydney Morning Herald, 17/9/08)
Australia's underclass 'growing' (The Australian, 17/9/08)
LINKS
A Rich Young Nation, The challenge of affluence and poverty in Australia (2008 Social Justice Statement)
Australian Catholic Social Justice Commission