With at least 9,000 children living in poverty in the ACT, the ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) is urging the Territory and Federal governments to raise income support to at least $70 per day and to halve child poverty by 2030.
In the lead-up to Anti-Poverty Week (APW) 2022, 16-22 October, ACTCOSS says APW is all about supporting the community to understand poverty and take collective action to end it.
In 2022, the aim of APW is calling on Australian parliamentarians to commit to halving child poverty by 2030. This commitment would bring Australia in line with international human rights commitments to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
With one in six Australian children growing up in poverty, ACTCOSS says Australia urgently needs appropriate measures in place to ensure that all families can afford secure housing and to cover the cost of essentials.
In a statement, ACTCOSS said there are at least 9,000 children living in poverty in the ACT and rising costs of living are pushing more families to breaking point.
“During APW we will be reminding the community to reflect on the poverty and disadvantage on our own doorstep and to take action to make change and hold the Territory and Federal Governments accountable to raising income support to at least $70 per day,” the statement said.
ACT Anti-Poverty Week 2022 is being convened by Co-Chairs Dr Emma Campbell, CEO ACT Council of Social Service and Ms Carmel Franklin, CEO. It is supported by an Executive Committee with representatives from Australia Red Cross, ACT Shelter, ACT Mental Health Consumer Network, Onelink, CIT Students’ Association, Relationships Australia Canberra & Region, CARE Financial Service and ACTCOSS.
Events planned to mark APW in the ACT include: the second APW Youth Art Competition (entries close 16 October); a Finding Home online forum on accessible and affordable housing in Canberra on 17 October 12.30pm; and an APW Forum discussing issues of poverty and disadvantage at CMAG on 20 October 12.15pm.
Visit the 2022 ACT Anti-Poverty Week page to see what events are being held across the Territory.
ACTCOSS advocates for social justice in the ACT and represents not-for-profit community organisations.
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