Far less comforting than food is the horrible fate some gorgeous friends on our street are facing. Having rented their house for 10 years, without EVER being late, they requested some COVID-19 leniency. His work has all been cancelled & she’s heavily pregnant so not working.

Far from leniency they were effectively threatened with eviction (the agent wrote, a week ago, that because no legislation was yet enacted they weren’t concerned).

With two kids under 4 and a third due in a month they are now leaving their home to move in with family. They cannot face being evicted when the baby arrives. *If* he’s eligible for Jobkeeper (self-employed creative) it won’t be paid soon enough to risk it.

These are wonderful people, they are both so hard-working and a lovely part of the community. The stress they’ve been enduring is so toxic & scary. And I know they’re so far from alone.

Despite the government’s attempts to make this experience less de-stabilising & provide security, the horrible reality is so many Australians are grappling with uncertainty & horrendous financial stress. And it’s heartbreaking.