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The Author As Social Commentator 7/28/2013 12:05:01 PM
In SALVATION JANE I wrote about social injustice in contemporary Australia to draw attention to the erosion of egalitarianism and the emergence of a selfish mind set.
Since the 1970s, there has been a period of almost constant economic growth in Australia but only a small number of Australians have benefited. Now that the boom is over many are forced to beg to get by. According to a Salvation Army survey 90,000 West Australians sought help with basic essentials from the charity last year. Traditionally the charity’s clients are on benefits, last year their ranks were increased by the working poor who can’t make ends meet in Perth, known throughout Australia as Boom Town.
The "new poor" are caught between the Rock of Inflation and the Hard Place of their pay-packets and are being turned away by overstretched charities. Many now live in their cars because rents are through the roof and the government has adopted a sink or swim mentality to the people. Now with the loaded iron-ore train about to derail and the Government with no policies in place to help the poor, I believe it’s time to start using the political system to obtain a fair share of the nations' wealth for those who are doing it tough.
That's what Jane Patterson does in SALVATION JANE. The Perth refuge owner turned politician starts an anti- poverty party aimed at combating poverty and ensuring that all Australians have access to the basic necessities of life.
