Australia's political leaders are being asked to zero-in on poverty. It is Anti-Poverty Week and a consortium of community organisations will discuss ways of reducing hardships faced by people both in Australia and overseas.The consortium says more than 1 million Australians are affected by poverty. Spokesman Julian Disney says a some specific areas should be targeted.
"Education, improving literacy, health, reducing infant mortality, especially amongst Indigenous people, and low birth weight," he said.
"We need those targets to be up at the same level of national decision making as GDP or CPI."
Mr Disney says the public and politicians have to be more committed to overcoming poverty.
"Hidden behind the sort of apparent prosperity of middle Australia there are really severe problems and we've got a ticking problem here if we don't address it," he said.
By Peasant 13 October 03
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