At a time often characterised by division, Australia is united in caring about those doing it tough.
More than 9 in 10 people want more done to reduce poverty; most think the system is to blame — not individuals — and are concerned by the changing face of poverty in Australia, new research shows.
Essential workers, single parents and older Australians are among those trapped by health, housing, education and employment issues, as low-income earners carry the weight of the cost-of-living crisis.
The Brotherhood of St Laurence's (BSL) new 'Perceptions of poverty in Australia' report captures public understanding and experience of poverty in Australia, having surveyed 2,651 people living in Australia with analysis from leading social trend researchers at 89Degrees East and Essential Research.
Importantly, this research confirms a compassionate country. Most want the government and employers to take action to prevent and stop poverty; 70 per cent agree that "struggling to afford basics doesn't mean someone is lazy, it means our economy isn't working for all Australians"; 75 per cent see inequality rising; and the majority are concerned poverty weakens our democracy.
BSL Executive Director Dr Travers McLeod said while fairness was the core Australian value — and that shone through in the data — it was poverty that connected pillars of Australian life and daily headlines.
"People in Australia don't want others to be living in poverty," Dr McLeod said. "People should be able to eat healthily, have a secure roof over their heads, access to education and job opportunities. Unfortunately, despite Australia's wealth, that simply isn't the case."
"We work with nurses battling their own health issues and housing insecurity; young people who want to help build the houses we need but are struggling to get support to survive; and people who have to choose between medication or food on a weekly basis."
Dr McLeod said BSL was calling on the federal government to adopt official poverty measures: a Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) and a monetary poverty measure. This approach has been recommended by the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee (EIAC) and is backed by the Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS) as the relevant peak body.
While poverty is most often associated with insufficient finances, it can be any factor that restricts someone's ability to make choices and participate fully in society, living a life they want and aspire to. It runs through Australia's headline issues, trapping people in a cycle that should never exist.
An MPI would track right down to suburban levels, across health, housing, education, employment and social participation. This would support government priorities and responses to be shaped and targeted, efficiently and effectively. Almost 160 countries have official poverty measures.
"Australia doesn't measure poverty. We should," Dr McLeod said. "Official measures are the critical first step in supporting governments and decision-makers to best address poverty in Australia."
"Improving the lives of those who call Australia home begins with tracking and reporting on key metrics. By measuring poverty properly, we can begin improving outcomes and seeing positive change."
Key findings from Perceptions of poverty in Australia include:
Almost all people surveyed (94%) in our two polls agreed that it's important to support people experiencing poverty.
For those who participated in the research, 76% had been impacted by cost-of-living pressures. With more than half (60%) supporting poverty reduction measures to ease cost of living pressure.
Three quarters (75%) of people surveyed thought that inequality was rising with a growing wealth gap, and more than half (55%) believed that this inequality affected the strength of our democracy.
Majority (55%) of people surveyed suggested that government was most responsible for reducing poverty.
Ranked in order as suggested priorities for government action were: affordable housing (80%), employment (61%), financial assistance (56%) and education (53%).
Quotes from survey respondents:
"They say we live in the 'Lucky Countryʼ. That has become increasingly not true in the last few years.ˮ
"Addressing poverty is not just about providing financial support; it's also about creating for education, employment and social inclusion to ensure that everyone can participate fully in society.ˮ
"When there are enough resources in our country to share for everybody, NOBODY should be left behind. If we don't take care of one another, we are not a community.ˮ
