5 years ago
ANTI-POVERTY WEEK: POVERTY AFFECTS US ALL
LINDA BURNEY MP
This week is Anti-Poverty Week and these are the facts:
- 3 million or 13.2 per cent of Australians live below the poverty line – when defined as 50 per cent of median income;
- 739,000 children or more than one in six Australian children live below the poverty line;
- Those on Newstart and Youth Allowance experience poverty at the highest rates; and
- As many as one in five Australians have experienced food insecurity in the last year.
Poverty directly affects over one in ten Australians, but it indirectly affects us all.
When a child goes hungry or without a roof over their head, they cannot do their homework and complete their education and reach their potential.
When a person cannot afford clothes for a job interview or transport costs to get there, they cannot re-enter the workforce and contribute to the economy.
When a person must skip meals or medication, they cannot participate economically or socially in our society.
When people cannot afford the basics and essentials, our local businesses have less to spend on wages and jobs.
All Australians, whether they live below or above the poverty line, will in some form or another feel the struggle of poverty.
They feel it in their stagnant wages and they feel it in their lack of job security.
This vicious cycle will continue unless we as a country choose to do something about it.
We can break the cycle of poverty and boost the economy. It is time for the Prime Minister to lead, beginning by increasing Newstart.