Child Poverty – Why?

The focus and response had an immediate impact of reducing child poverty but the many gains have been eroded or lost over the years.
Most notably is the government’s decision to continue to move single parent families to an allowance which was unheard of until July 2006. These families will now try and survive on $263 per week. Contrast this to single aged pension of $374.40 per week.

Recent figures from the ABS state that Newstart claimants are at breaking point, with 79% reporting three or more indicators of financial stress and they are closely followed by people on Parenting Payments (77%). Small, but expected treats like having friends or family over for a meal once a month is not an option whilst severe child poverty means:

• An inability to purchase nutritious food; 6% of one parent families with dependent children went without meals.
• Inability to purchase prescribed and pharmacy medicines and;
• a loss of utilities – 34% of sole parent families with dependent children were unable to pay utility bills on time. Sole parent families do not receive the Utility Allowance which is available for the single aged pension.

Terese Edwards, CEO states that child poverty and financial hardship should not be part of any childhood and certainly not a forgone conclusion. As Australia prepares of the Tax Forum it is our expectation that the needs of Australian children will rate the highest priority

National Council of Single Mothers and their Children

Eliminate and respond to violence, hardship and inequality for single mothers and their children