“The Cost of Our Living”: Social Justice Statement

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has released the first of two 2026 social justice statements, “The Cost of Our Living: Economic and Social Justice for the Common Good.” It has three sections: “Struggling to Afford the Necessities of Life,” “Addressing the Crisis,” and “Prophets of Hope.”

The brief statement urges courage and tenderness in addressing the nation’s cost-of-living crisis.

The statement sets out key facts and figures about the crisis, points to Catholic social teaching as a means of addressing it and outlines a list of actions largely focused on local communities.

“In a wealthy country like Australia, it seems inconceivable that there should be so much hardship,” the statement reads.

“Many of us cannot see a way out of the cost-of-living crisis. This must change. Australia needs to learn to hope again.”

Download the statement here (8pps., PDF)

Cover of the Statement