Greens' Gilmore candidate, Carmel McCallum, wants to raise pensions, JobSeeker, the youth allowance and other income support payments above the poverty line.
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Mrs McCallum said Gilmore residents have been impacted by ongoing disasters, the rising cost of living, and the region's growing housing crisis, and that those on JobSeeker are struggling to make ends meet on current rates.
"People are going without meals, without medication, without the funds to pay for heating or cooling and many are losing their homes," Mrs McCallum said.
"This is especially tragic in the Shoalhaven, and even in the greater area of Gilmore, which went through the Black Summer fires, and floods ... with many people losing their homes, tourism being decimated, exacerbated by the COVID pandemic.
"And then rents - if there is available housing - being far too high for low income workers seeking housing reasonably close to where they work. Some people are paying 70 per cent of their income on rent.
"People who are relying on JobSeeker for income, have virtually Buckley's chance of finding safe, suitable housing close to amenities and affordable transport."
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In a major campaign pledge ahead of the federal election, The Greens' promise to raise income payments to $88 per day would meet the most generous poverty line measure, the Henderson poverty line.
The plan would cost more than $88 billion over the next four years.
Singles on the aged pension currently receive up to $882.20 a fortnight, or $63 a day and couples receive a combined $1330 a fortnight, or $95 a day.
Singles on JobSeeker are eligible to receive up to $629.50 a fortnight, which equates to just under $45 a day, not including other supplements including rent assistance (which is a maximum of $142.80 a fortnight for singles).
The Greens said it would fund the liveable income guarantee through tax measures, including a billionaires' tax and reversing the government's stage three tax cuts set to come into effect in 2024.
Mrs McCallum said this pledge, along with providing solutions to Gilmore's housing crisis, were top priorities heading into the election.
"The cost of houses in Gilmore has gone up more than any other area in Australia," she said.
"None of this is fair. No one deserves to live under the poverty line in a wealthy country like Australia. The Greens want to create a better future for everyone, not just those who can afford it."
Mrs McCallum's comments come after Labor confirmed last week that the party will not commit to an increase in JobSeeker payments if elected.
When asked about Labor axing the independent review into JobSeeker payments, Gilmore's incumbent MP Fiona Phillips acknowledged it was tough for residents, but pointed to the party's other policies aimed at driving down the cost of living.
"It's really tough for people, there's no doubt about that," she said last week.
"That's why we're focusing on our Powering Australia Plan to cut power bills by up to $275 per year.
"There are also other policies around affordable housing. We've got a Housing Australia Future Fund, which will see the biggest investment in affordable housing and social housing in decades.
"So that is helping reduce the cost of living for people. Do we need to do more? Absolutely ... but an Albanese Labour Government will help our most vulnerable."
Mrs Phillips said Labor will have more to say on housing in the lead up to the election, but could not provide any short term solutions to the problem when asked last week.
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese joined Mrs Phillips in Bomaderry on Thursday and touched on the party's social and affordable housing policy, however did not indicate a timeline of constructing more supply in Gilmore.
In a visit to Nowra on Thursday, Greens Senate candidate David Shoebridge outlined the party's plan to solve the housing crisis, which included building a million new affordable and social homes.
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Grace Crivellaro
Court reporter for the Illawarra Mercury.
Court reporter for the Illawarra Mercury.
