Minister Welcomes How Australia is Faring Report
The Minister for Social Inclusion, Mark Butler, says the Australian Social Inclusion Board’s 2012 How Australia is faring report tells a compelling story about our progress as a nation.
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8 August 2012
The Minister for Social Inclusion, Mark Butler, was in Brisbane today for the launch of the Australian Social Inclusion Board’s 2012 How Australia is faring report.
Mr Butler said the report told a compelling story about our progress as a nation.
“Our economy continues to defy international trends and outperform other advanced economies with solid growth and low unemployment, yet 640,000 Australians still face complex and multiple levels of disadvantage each year.
“With a strong economy comes the opportunity to ensure all Australians are able to share in our nation’s wealth.”
Mr Butler said the report makes clear the Government’s commitment to addressing disadvantage is having a positive impact.
“It shows that Australians are doing well in a number of areas with more Australians finishing school, older people being employed at higher rates than ever before, high and increasing life expectancy,” Mr Butler said.
But while Australia has made good progress in many areas, the report also reminds us that our continued prosperity is reliant on everyone who can participate in society having the resources and opportunity to do so.
“For the approximately 5% of Australians, some 640,000 people, facing severe levels of disadvantage, we need to do more,” Mr Butler said.
“In the last few years we have made substantial investments in mental health reform, reducing homelessness and we have looked to change the way we deliver services to citizens in our most disadvantaged communities.”
“This Government is committed to making a real difference in people’s lives with reforms like the National Disability Insurance Scheme and the National Broadband Network.”
“How Australia is faring will help guide our continued investment as a nation in areas including health and disability, employment, reducing financial stress, education, access to services, housing, public safety, and community engagement.”
“I would like to thank the Board, under the stewardship of its immediate past Chair, Patricia Faulkner, for their work in developing this important report.”
How Australia is faring and associated fact sheets are available at the Australian Government Social Inclusion website.
For more information, contact the Minister’s Office on 02 6277 7280
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