The Australian Council of Social Services says child poverty is getting worse. A major conference in Brisbane heard an alarming number of young Queenslanders are living below the poverty line.

Jorja McDonnell reports.

TRANSCRIPT

Four-hundred and thirty-thousand Queenslanders are currently living in poverty.

Many of them are children under 17.

Dr Cassandra Goldie, CEO, Australian Council Social Services: “Queensland has some of the highest rates of financial stress anywhere in the country.”

Cassandra Goldie blames continuous cuts to social services and youth unemployment.

Dr Cassandra Goldie, CEO, Australian Council Social Services: “High rates of being unable to pay bills on time, highest rates when it comes to pawning your belongings.”

The Deputy Premier says the Queensland Government is doing what it can, including reducing transport costs, concession fares and more affordable housing.

But she admits there’s still a long way to go.

Jackie Trad, Deputy Premier: “Well I think that both community and government can do better at integrating the type of support they offer.”

Ms Trad says schemes already in place are a significant help to those in need.

Despite our label as the lucky country, Australia has the second highest rate of poverty among wealthy nations.

With 14 per cent of children living below the poverty line, we sit just behind the U.S.

Anti-Poverty Week has heard from a cross section of government and grass root workers on how to help those most in need.

Jorja McDonnell, QUT News.