Canberra poverty at 25-year high as charities demand welfare boost and housing action

Key points

• Two Canberra charities say an estimated one in seven residents is now living in poverty, the highest proportion since 2001. ACTCOSS and St Vincent de Paul Society Canberra/Goulburn are calling on governments to introduce an official poverty measure, raise welfare payments and invest more in public housing.
• The charities report that some working families are seeking emergency help and that some parents are skipping meals so their children can eat.
• Their report was released during Anti-Poverty Week.