Written by Melissa, Anti-Poverty Network SA member, and longtime anti-poverty activist
Dear Minister Rishworth,
Re: The Urgent Need to Address the Dangers of Poverty in Australia
I am writing to you to express my deep concern about poverty in Australia as someone who lives below the poverty line I know these dangers all too well and the profound impact it has to individuals and the broader community. As the Minister for Social Services, your role is pivotal in addressing these critical social issues, and I hope this letter can open this conversation
Despite Australia’s relative wealth, a significant amount of our population continues to live in poverty. According to the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS), more than three million Australians live below the poverty line, including over 700,000 children. Poverty has a huge impact on things like, health, education, employment opportunities, community engagement and overall quality of life.
Health Impacts: Poverty is strongly correlated with poor health outcomes. Individuals living in poverty are more likely to experience chronic health conditions, mental health issues, and shorter life expectancies. Limited access to nutritious food, healthcare services, and safe housing exacerbates these health issue. Alarming new statistics show that suicide rates among those in poverty are 3 times higher then any other group.
Education and Employment: Children from low-income families face significant barriers to educational achievement. Poverty affects their cognitive development and educational attainment, limiting their future employment prospects and perpetuating the cycle of poverty. Additionally, adults living in poverty often face difficulties in securing stable employment due to a lack of skills, qualifications, and opportunities while the government is trying to bring in initiatives for gaining skills its very hard to do when you don’t have money for transport, text books and you’re constantly in survival mode
Social and Economic Costs: Poverty has broader social and economic costs, including increased demand for social services, higher crime rates, and reduced economic productivity. The long-term effects of poverty can strain public resources and hinder economic growth, ultimately affecting all Australians.
To address these pressing issues, I urge the government to consider the following actions:
1. Increase Income Support: Raising the rate of income support payments such as JobSeeker and Youth Allowance and all payments to above the Henderson poverty line . This would also open up opportunities for people to study and gain the skills they need. It becomes impossible to study when you have to focus on survival and your hungry and at risk of losing your home
2. Affordable Housing Initiatives: Expanding access to affordable and public housing is crucial. Investing in housing infrastructure can provide stable living conditions for low-income families and reduce the incidence of homelessness.
3. Healthcare Access: Enhancing access to healthcare services, including mental health support, for low-income individuals is vital. Often we are locked out of seeing specialists or having tests like MRIs because of the cost
4. Education and Training Programs: Implementing targeted education and vocational training programs can equip individuals with the skills needed to secure stable employment. Though I know your govt is trying to achieve this with fee free tafe many more would be successful if income support was raised.
5. Domestic Violence: often people are locked into violent situations and relationships due to poverty. With those returning to the perpetrator because they face poverty as a result of leaving. Payments need to ensure people can survive when they leave
Addressing poverty is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic investment in Australia’s future. By implementing good policies that tackle the root causes of poverty, we can create a more equitable and prosperous society for all Australians.
Yours sincerely,
Melissa Fisher
Anti-Poverty Network SA 