A heartfelt thank you to all our incredible volunteers, members, staff, and friends who joined the Vinnies delegation at the Sydney Alliance Pre-Election Assembly on Thursday 13 March. With more than 40 Vinnies representatives among over 800 attendees gathered at Westmead, the Assembly was a powerful show of community solidarity and a call for meaningful policy change ahead of the Federal Budget and election campaign.

The Assembly spotlighted pressing issues including housing supply, energy affordability, and climate justice—themes that deeply impact the people we assist every day. Through powerful life stories and personal testimonies, participants painted a clear picture of how successive governments' inaction has left too many without safe, energy-efficient, and affordable homes.

Community leaders presented key demands directly to Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen and Dr Andrew Charlton MP, calling for bold investment in social and affordable housing, and a just transition to clean energy.

As Tom Gersbach, Chair of the Vinnies NSW Social Justice Committee, expressed to the crowd:

"We know the impact of poverty and cost-of-living pressures on the people we assist. We want to see more investment in social, affordable, and energy-efficient housing."

Just one week earlier, twelve Vincentians also joined the Hunter Community Alliance Assembly in Newcastle, which brought together 650 people from across the region. Attendees listened to firsthand stories about overstretched services, housing shortages, homelessness, and the risks of an energy transition that leaves vulnerable people behind.

These Assemblies remind us that real change starts with real voices. Thank you to everyone who represented Vinnies with passion, compassion, and courage. Your presence helps ensure that our advocacy remains rooted in lived experience and community connection.