774,000 children in poverty

Today, ACOSS and UNSW Sydney released their latest Poverty in Australia Report.
 
This report will not come as a surprise to the millions of Australians for whom poverty is a reality.
 
3.24 million Australians live in poverty – 774,000 of them are children.
 
Children are going hungry and parents are skipping meals.
 
But you don’t need to be living in poverty to feel its impact.
 
Australians can feel the effect of poverty in their low wages and their insecure jobs.
 
When Australians can’t afford to purchase basics and essentials, our local businesses can’t afford to increase wages and employ more people.
 
When children are unable to do their homework because they are too hungry or have no safe place to stay, our nation’s collective potential is deprived.
 
Too many Australians know that the economy is simply not working for them.
 
Too many have not seen a wage rise in a long time. Too many are not receiving the hours at work they need to make ends meet. 
 
The Morrison Government’s constant attempts to paint a glossy picture of the economy will be of little consolation to the millions of Australians who are struggling.
 
Scott Morrison cannot spin his way to a strong economy. He needs to acknowledge the economy is not working for millions Australians, and he needs a plan to turn things around, beginning with an increase to Newstart.

LINDA BURNEY 
MEDIA RELEASE - FRIDAY, 21 FEBRUARY 2020