The Wire

The Liberal government’s victory at the polls on October 9, has largely been attributed to a strategy that promised Australians a continuation of the low interest rates and increased prosperity they’ve come to expect over the last decade. But as government ministers converge on Canberra this week for their first meeting since the election, a group of charities will be asking them to focus their attnetion on those citizens that have not been able to enjoy the country’s increased wealth – the 2 million Australians living in poverty. Anglicare Australia, the Brotherhood of St Lawrence, Catholic Welfare Australia, Uniting Care and the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) are calling for a national strategy on poverty within the first 100 days of the new government. The charities point to strategies put in place in Ireland and the UK, where increases in overall wealth have been matched by a reduction in those countries’ poverty rates. Erica Vowles spoke to president of ACOSS, Andrew McCullum who believes the government needs to act as soon as possible.