In Australia, over 3.3 million people—including 761,000 children—are living below the poverty line.

Yet, astonishingly, our government lacks a clear definition of income poverty, leaving us blind to the true extent of this crisis. Without a national measure, we cannot accurately track or address the suffering of millions of Australians.

This oversight perpetuates a cycle of neglect, where policies fail to target those in need, and resources are misallocated. Establishing a clear definition and measure of poverty is a moral imperative. By acknowledging the reality of poverty, we can implement effective strategies to lift people out of hardship and build a more equitable society.

The time for ignorance is over. We must demand that our leaders define and measure poverty accurately, so we can begin the critical work of eradicating it.