It follows a visit from the recently appointed Catholic Social Services head, who spoke with Centacare South West staff members in Wagga on Wednesday. 

Centacare chief executive Paul Jensen said across the region, more than 400 residents used the services of the not-for-profit organisation.

He said families and individuals sought mental health, counselling, child protection, humanitarian interest and disability-related assistance for a range of issues relating to economic and social disadvantage. 

“Ashmont 20 years ago was reported as socially disadvantaged area and it still is,” Mr Jensen said. “You have to ask, ‘What aren’t we getting right?’”

National icon and TV personality Jesuit priest Father Frank Brennan spoke with Wagga’s social workers to hear first-hand, how inequality was affecting rural and regional areas. 

The social justice and ethics expert said human dignity had become something “earned” rather than “deserved”, causing the divide between rich and poor to deepen. 

Fr Brennan said religion, culture, relationship status, skin colour, age and abilities were irrelevant. He said everyone deserved support when it was needed.  

In an example, Fr Brennan said Newstart Allowance was not sufficient to live on.

He said while the low payments may be an incentive to find work, there was no fallback for 740,000 unemployed, an ever-growing casual workforce and a reported one million seeking additional employment just to make ends meet. 

“The voice of the churches and the non-government sector have been marginalised,” Fr Brennan said. “While our elected politicians have the responsibility for budget repair… (policies) have to be equitable and sustainable.”

Fr Brennan said it seemed most reforms were focused on a budget bottom-line, neglecting the needs of the vulnerable.

“Centacare staff know how increasingly difficult it is for those Australians doing it tough,” he said. “All Australians need to take responsibility ... to assist people in need rather than blaming them for their circumstances.”