Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a)   notes that:

(i)   after in-depth discussions with over a thousand young people and a national survey of 5,400 young people, the final report of the Australian Child Wellbeing Project found that of young people in years 4, 6 and 8:

  (A)   between 20 and 25 per cent worry that someone close to them will not have enough to eat,

  (B)   10 to 20 per cent sometimes go to bed hungry because there is not enough food at home, and

  (C)   more than 2 per cent often or always go to bed hungry, and

(ii)   the Australian Council of Social Service estimates that 17.7 per cent of children live below the poverty line; and

(b)   calls on the Australian Government to adopt a comprehensive anti-poverty strategy, including measures to combat child poverty.

Scott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Deputy President, I seek leave to make a short statement.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave has been granted for one minute.

Scott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Australian Child Wellbeing Project report highlights that most children are doing well and are satisfied with their lives. Financial assistance is provided to families, including through family tax benefit, to support parents in raising their children in a way that best meets their needs. Our proposed family tax benefit savings will enable us to continue to support those most in need, including working families, low-income families and single parents, while ensuring our family payments system remains sustainable in the long term. In addition, both federal and state governments provide funding to support school breakfast programs Australia wide to ensure students receive a wholesome, nutritious breakfast on a regular basis.

Question agreed to.