Williamson exerts his final Influence
Each year, approximately 60,000 Australians in low-income working families are forced to go without meals and over half a million are unable to pay their bills on time, according to recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. A further 36,000 are unable to heat their homes; 89,000 are forced to seek help from charities and welfare organisations and more than half a million are unable to pay their electricity, gas or phone bills on time. While the current government doesn’t readily accept the term “working poor”, one of Australia’s most accomplished playwrights, David Williamson, says his most recent play was inspired by this disadvantaged section of Australian society. The Wire’s David Jobling spoke with David Williamson about the origins of his new play, “Influence”.