Melbourne Citymission comment on the global financial crisis and the Rudd Government's stimulus payments
8 April 2009
Congratulations to The Age for its ongoing coverage of the global financial crisis.
Now that the GFC has moved from Wall Street to wreak havoc on Main Street - and increasing numbers of 'real' people are feeling the pain of unemployment, underemployment and housing stress - it's important that the debate about "where to from here?" isn't monopolised by economists.
Articles like Simon Moyle's (The Age, 7 April) - that look at the economic crisis through the lens of social inclusion - are a welcome contribution to the debate, although I disagree with his assertion that "sometimes the economy has to take a back seat to fostering a good society". In Melbourne Citymission's experience, the market can be harnessed to help communities, governments and not-for-profits build social capital - in fact, it's a vital cog in the wheel.
In any case, Simon's challenge to Age readers to think about how they use their stimulus payment appears to be making an impact. Yesterday afternoon, a man walked into Melbourne Citymission's CBD youth homelessness service, Frontyard, and handed over $410, telling staff the donation represented half of his stimulus payment.
It's a reminder of how compassion and generosity often triumph in times of crisis.
Anne Turley
Chief Executive Officer
Melbourne Citymission
