Ending poverty – what will it take? A panel discussion at Parliament House

BSL partnered with Parliamentary Friends in February at Parliament House in Canberra, focusing on how the federal government can make a serious effort to end poverty in Australia.

It was an exciting start to the year with BSL partnering with Parliamentary Friends of Ending Poverty co-chairs Bridget Archer MP and Alicia Payne MP to host an insightful and moving panel discussion in February at Parliament House in Canberra, focusing on how the federal government can make a serious effort to end poverty in Australia.

Our Executive Director Travers McLeod joined leading economist Dr Angela Jackson, BSL’s Principal Research Fellow of Work and Economic Security Dr Dina Bowman and BSL’s SEED Program participant Nytarra Buckley to discuss what it will take to end poverty and make a fairer and more inclusive Australia for all. 

Presenting to a full house of engaged Federal MPs, Senators and community sector advocates, our respected panel shared their wide-ranging expertise and lived experience, imparting the clear message that poverty is a policy choice – and we all need to work together to change those choices. 

As co-chair Bridget Archer MP explained: “It’s so important to hear lived experience stories – people that are elected should be listening to people in their communities. The more visible and the louder those voices are, the more weight there is for change.”

BSL will continue advocating to Federal MPs and Senators over the coming year on ways to help households across the country move out of poverty and ensure they hear directly from people with lived experience.