Survey Finds Surge in Australians Living in Poverty amid Cost-of-Living Crisis
The survey, which was reported by the Australian Associated Press (AAP), found 93 percent of people who used a charity's services in the past 12 months were struggling to afford basic items.
Of the 1,700 people who participated in the survey, about 25 percent said they cannot afford to take their children to see a doctor or dentist and one in five said they cannot provide three meals a day.
More than half said they were skipping meals to save money.
Stuart Glover, secretary for mission for the charity service, said the typical respondent was left with less than 6 Australian dollars (about 4 US dollars) per day after paying for their essential living costs.
"We have seen a significant increase in everyday Australians who have fallen through the cracks over the last year," he was quoted by AAP, adding that the cost-of-living crisis was making it almost impossible for people who were struggling to survive without help.
According to data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) in April, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 7 percent in the 12 months to March - down from 7.8 percent in the year to December.
Responding to the data, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said Australia had passed the peak of the inflation crisis but that cost-of-living pressures would hang around.
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