Bishop wants to make change

AUSTRALIANS are called to work for an economy that is based on principles of justice and equity - one that is at the service of all, particularly the most vulnerable.

That’s the message from the annual Social Justice Statement that was launched by Bishop Robert McGuckin at Toowoomba’s Ability Enterprises yesterday.

The Catholic Bishop’s 2017-2018 Social Justice Statement is titled Everyone’s Business: Developing an inclusive and sustainable economy.

It is pointed out that although Australia has enjoyed a quarter-century of uninterrupted growth, the benefits have not been spread evenly.

The top 20% of households have received far greater increases in wealth than the poorest 20% and nearly three million Australians, including 730,000 children, are living in poverty.

Diocesan Social Justice Commission executive officer Mark Copland said Toowoomba had a number of examples of what this inclusive economy might look like.

“Social enterprises like Ability Enterprises run on sound business principles,” he said.

“They deliver great service to customers and successfully ensure that some of our community’s most vulnerable enjoy the dignity of work.”

“Ability goes beyond the charity model which gives to the poor from the surplus or left overs of a business to one which puts inclusion at the very heart of what it does.

“Along with businesses like Vanguard Laundry these social enterprises drive social change in the real economy.”