SOCIAL JUSTICE STATEMENT 2017-2018 © Australian Catholic Bishops Conference 2017. You may download, display, print or reproduce this material for personal or non-commercial use, as long as you acknowledge the copyright holders. All other rights to the material are retained by the original copyright holders. Australian Catholic Bishops Conference

EVERYONE’S BUSINESS Developing an inclusive and sustainable economy

The Australian Catholic Bishops’ Social Justice Statement for 2017–18 asks about Australia’s economic priorities.

ACOSS, Inequality in Australia Over the past 25 years, Australia has seen continuous economic growth. But inequality has increased over that time. Share of national income, 2012 ACOSS, Inequality in Australia

Many have missed out on secure jobs and a just share in income and wealth.

Jesus’ parable of the workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1–7): The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner going out at daybreak to hire workers for his vineyard. From morgue file 1708a

He made an agreement with the workers for one denarius a day, and sent them into his vineyard.

At about the sixth hour and again at about the ninth hour, he went out and did the same. From Unsplash Loic Djim

Then at about the eleventh hour he went out and found more men standing round, and he said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ From Unsplash Loic Djim

‘Because no one has hired us’ they answered ‘Because no one has hired us’ they answered. He said to them, ‘You go into my vineyard too.’

Jesus teaches how the reign of God is open to all, especially mindful of those left behind. God provides sufficiently and fairly for each person.

During Australia’s 25 years of growth, who has missed out During Australia’s 25 years of growth, who has missed out? Nearly 3 million Australians are living in poverty.

More than 730,000 of them are children More than 730,000 of them are children. We should be most concerned for …

Insecure workers Almost 40% of workers under 25 are in casual work. Older workers experience restructure, redundancy, long-term unemployment.

are particularly vulnerable. Average wages have stagnated. Women workers are particularly vulnerable. From Morguefile Jus Ben

People who are unemployed Allowance rates have not increased in real terms since 1994. 63% of unemployed Australians live below the poverty line...

There are far more jobseekers than there are job vacancies ... … but governments make it harder and harder for people on the dole. Federal budget 2017: Welfare groups say new requirements 'vilify the unemployed’ ABC News

The housing and homelessness crisis Since the 1990s, cost of housing increased by 250%. Many middle and low income earners spend over 30% of income on housing.

60% of people below the poverty line are in rental housing – most in private rental. Older people, particularly women, can face great difficulty finding secure housing.

Indigenous Australians Many Indigenous communities struggle with social and economic burdens that most Australians cannot imagine. Health issues Unemployment Imprisonment Lack of education Poverty

The call for an inclusive economy For 120 years and more, Popes have spoken out strongly for the poor and dispossessed.

They have acknowledged the positive role of the free market – but they insisted that the capitalist economy must benefit everyone, not just the rich.

In 2007–2008 we saw the Global Financial Crisis. Australia survived better than most countries, but there were tragic consequences for many people.

Popes Benedict and Francis denounced the greed that brought about the GFC and called for a new morality.

We are called to remember: People and nature are not mere tools of production. Economic growth alone cannot ensure inclusive and sustainable development. Social equity must be built into the heart of the economy.

Business must benefit all, not just shareholders. Everyone must be included in decision-making.

Towards an inclusive and sustainable economy In Europe and elsewhere governments now see welfare as a ‘social investment’.

The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have a vision of ‘inclusive growth’ or ‘shared prosperity’.

The United Nations has been inspired to develop the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Their aim is to: end poverty and hunger improve health and education make cities more sustainable combat climate change protect oceans and forests.

What vision can Catholic teaching offer for an inclusive economy in Australia?

more investment in productive economic activity a fairer tax system more investment in productive economic activity social investment for equal opportunity commitment to full employment public and community services that genuinely help the most vulnerable. Photo by mauro mora on Unsplash

The workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:8–16) In the evening, the owner said: ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, starting with the last arrivals and ending with the first.’ So those who were hired at the eleventh hour received one denarius each.

When the first came they expected to be paid more, but they too received one denarius each. They took it but grumbled at the landowner.

‘The men who came last have done only one hour, and you have treated them the same as us, though we have done a heavy day’s work in all the heat.’

‘My friend, I am not being unjust to you; He answered: ‘My friend, I am not being unjust to you; did we not agree on one denarius? … By Photographed by: York Museums Trust Staff [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

I choose to pay the last-comer as much as I pay you ... Why be envious because I am generous?’ Thus the last will be first, and the first, last. Photo by Paul Dufour on Unsplash

The parable may seem unfair to us. The owner of the vineyard pays all the workers one denarius – even those who completed only one hour’s work. Photo by Taliesin on Morguefile

was the basic daily pay of labourers, sufficient for a living wage But the denarius was the basic daily pay of labourers, sufficient for a living wage – like our notion of a minimum wage. By Martin Kingsley from Melbourne, Australia (Cashmoney) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

The vineyard owner recognises the dignity of all his workers.

Christ’s promise of his Kingdom calls us to work for just social change based on the great commandment -

to love God and to love our neighbour, especially the most vulnerable.

‘We see a vineyard in which all are engaged as active contributors to the economic enterprise ... We envisage an alternative to market places that are harsh and inhospitable: the vineyard, lush and green, sustainable in its growth and inclusive in its economy.’ Social Justice Statement 2017–18, p. 16.

and sustainable economy, pick up a copy of the To read more about building an inclusive and sustainable economy, pick up a copy of the Statement - www.acsjc.org.au.

For practical suggestions pick up the leaflet Ten Steps towards an inclusive, sustainable economy.

Australian Catholic Social Justice Council Acknowledgements: https://commons.wikimedia.org https://morguefile.com https://pixabay.com https://unsplash.com https://www.creationswap.com https://www.shutterstock.com iStock Fairfax images AAP Image Alamy David Brennan Sarah MacRaild Australian Catholic Social Justice Council