One-fifth Australians living in poverty

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, March 12, 2004

One-fifth Australians living in poverty

About 3.6 million Australians, or one-fifth of the country's population, are living in poverty, according to a Senate's inquiry report released Thursday.

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About 3.6 million Australians, or one-fifth of the country's population, are living in poverty, according to a Senate's inquiry report released Thursday.

The report said more than 20 percent of the population cannot even afford medicines for their children.

Figures cited in the report showed the number of those who liveon less than 400 Australian dollars (300 US dollars) a week rose from 11.3 percent in 1990 to 13 percent in 2000.

Inquiry committee chairman Steve Hutchins said one of the most disturbing trends found during the 12-month inquiry is that 700,000 children lived in homes with no parent in full-time work.

Hutchins called for action to prevent children and youth from becoming disadvantaged adults.

But Prime Minister John Howard rejected the report, saying "It's fair to say that the rich have got richer but the poor are getting no poorer." ��

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