Anti-poverty campaigner will speak at public forum

A prominent anti-poverty campaigner has been announced as the lead speaker at a forum in Murray Bridge next month.

Ross Womersley is the chief executive officer of the South Australian Council of Social Service, a peak body for the state's non-profit community agencies.

He will speak at an event on the evening of August 18 at Murray Bridge Uniting Church.

Topics will include homelessness, unemployment and access to digital technology in the Murraylands.

Mr Womersley regularly appears on TV and radio, campaigning for a fairer tax system, affordable housing, adequate wages, lower petrol prices, cheaper utilities and action on climate change on behalf of South Australia's most disadvantaged people.

Also appearing will be Janet Emmins, a financial counsellor with the Salvation Army in Murray Bridge.

Ms Emmins describes it as a privilege to work with people experiencing financial hardship.

She is vocal about their needs – last year she warned the Murray Bridge council that the low rate of Centrelink payments was creating a cycle of poverty, crime and mental health issues.

Doors will open at 6pm for a 6.30pm start on the night of the forum, organised by social justice campaigner Annette Korzeba and the Murray Bridge Inter-Church Council.

Anyone intending to go must register and print out a ticket ahead of time – see below.

A gold coin donation will be collected at the door.

The last time Ms Korzeba helped organise a forum at the Uniting Church it created national headlines.

Comments made by Senator Ann Ruston at an event last September sparked debate about the rate of the Newstart allowance, now called Jobseeker.

• RSVP: Visit trybooking.com/BKAQD or email iccbooking1@gmail.com by August 4.

Photo: SA Council of Social Service.