For a poverty free Australia

Rehan | 12 | VIC

No child should have to endure the vicious cycle of poverty. All children should have a fair go to reach their potential.

However, Uniting Care show that more than 880,000 children under the age of 15 in Australia are socially and economically isolated. By eradicating poverty, we can ensure all children have better opportunities in the future by giving them a fair chance today.

Children and families have been the hardest hit by the cost-of-living crisis. Many young kids do not have access to the nutritious food they need to reach their potential every day. According to a Foodbank report, over 365,000 children in Victoria lived in severely food-insecure households last year. This significantly impacts not only their physical development but also their mental well-being.

Growing up in poverty also has a lasting impact. Mission Australia reports that those who experienced poverty as children were 3.3 times more likely to be poor in the future, 2.5 times more likely to live in social housing, and 2.5 times more likely to experience financial stress. They are also more likely to suffer from poor mental and physical health.

“If we want to create a fairer Australia, we must eradicate child poverty. ”

I firmly believe that if we come together, young and old, we can make progress towards a poverty free Australia. To help with the cost of nutritious meals, the government can boost institutions like Foodbank, OzHarvest and many others.

To provide children with a better education, free tutoring can be provided by community members or local libraries. By doing this, we can reduce the burden of poverty and improve the lives of families and children.