Researchers have predicted that Australia’s child poverty rate could surpass the current rate of 17%, or 1 in 6 children, but the true nature isn’t known because Australia doesn’t define, measure or report child poverty rates.
The latest analysis from the End Child Poverty campaign on 2021 data found the number of children living in poverty has increased by at least 102,000 since COVID.
The lifelong effects of poverty on a child’s mental health, relationships, job and economic outcomes are far poorer for children who grow up in poverty.
What: Leading welfare organisations meet at Parliament House, Canberra to call on politicians to legislate an end to child poverty, by committing to a definition, measure and reporting framework to Parliament
Where: Front lawn, Parliament House
When: Thursday October 10
10:00am
Who: Leaders of child and family welfare organisations
- Anne Hollonds, National Children's Commissioner
- Chris Twomey, Senior Industry Fellow, and report author Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre.
- Sarah Quinton, End Child Poverty Campaign Director
- Toby O’Connor, CEO St Vincent de Paul Society National Council
- Jamie Crosby, Families Australia
- Fay Mound, UnitingCare Australia Director Policy & Advocacy
- Toni Wren, Single Mother Families Australia, Principal Adviser
- Mark Jeffery, Anti-Poverty Week Director
Visual: Leaders + others holding placards reading 'Legislate an end to child poverty' and 'I want child poverty to end'
Read BankWest Curtain Economics report: Child Poverty in Australia 2024
About us:
The End Child Poverty campaign is a partnership of over 120 organisations across Australia committed to calling on all Governments, state and federal, to legislate an end to child poverty. https://www.endchildpoverty.com.au/supportus-1
Contact details:
Anti-Poverty Week Director Mark Jeffery 0419 732 583
Anti-Poverty Week Carolin Wenzel 0417 668 957
Sarah Quinton, End Child Poverty Campaign 0439 439 233
Toni Wren, Single Mother Families Australia 0405 705 442