The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) welcomed Elizabeth Lee, MLA’s motion delivered yesterday, calling for the ACT Government to commission an independent inquiry into the prevalence of poverty in Canberra. The motion comes before Anti-Poverty Week (16th – 22nd October) and refers to ACTCOSS’ submission to the ACT Budget 2022-23.
ACTCOSS Acting Chief Executive Officer, Dr Gemma Killen said: “Given that approximately 38,000 Canberrans are currently living in poverty, including 9,000 children, there is an urgent need for intervention to address poverty and inequality in the region. Rates of poverty are going up as costs of living skyrocket in Canberra.
“This Anti-Poverty Week we are calling on the ACT and Federal Governments to take action to ensure every family can afford secure housing and cover the cost of essentials.
“We are disappointed the ACT Government chose not to take the opportunity to do more about poverty in Canberra. An independent inquiry could have been a positive step towards better understanding the drivers of poverty, and the disproportionate disadvantages experienced by marginalised communities.
“While ACT community organisations have consistently provided clear expert recommendations for addressing poverty, we have yet to see a significant reduction in the level of disadvantage in our community. We know that without increases to income support payments, investment in social and public housing and adequate, targeted concessions – we will continue to see people trapped in poverty.
“We urge the ACT Government to put a great deal more work and investment into reducing and preventing poverty in the ACT,” Dr Killen concluded.
During Anti-Poverty Week ACTCOSS is asking Canberrans to reflect on poverty and disadvantage on our own doorstep and what we can do to make a change.
For a full list of events and more information and resources on APW you can go to the ACT’s Anti-Poverty Week page
